CMRL Allocates ₹154 Crore for Land Acquisition in Coimbatore Metro Rail Project

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has approved ₹154 crore in the first phase for acquiring land along a 1.1-km stretch on the Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam Road at Ganapathy. This move is part of the Coimbatore Metro Rail Project, which aims to improve urban mobility in the city. The land acquisition process will be carried out in coordination with the city corporation and the revenue department.

Land Acquisition Process and Survey

The city corporation, with assistance from CMRL officials, will conduct a land plan survey to assess the area required for the project. The revenue department will then oversee the acquisition process. This survey will identify the specific land parcels needed for metro construction, ensuring minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.

In addition to the metro project, the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department has been working on a separate road-widening initiative for a 3.1-km stretch from the Textool Rail Over-Bridge. This project, which aims to ease congestion on the Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam Road, recently received ₹54 crore in funding for land acquisition. Since both the metro rail and highway projects require land along the same stretch, the authorities have coordinated efforts to avoid multiple acquisitions in the same area.

Metro Rail Corridors and Project Scope

The Coimbatore Metro Rail Project is planned to be implemented in two corridors:

• Corridor 1: This corridor will begin at Ukkadam Bus Stand and extend to Neelambur Integrated Station via the Coimbatore International Airport, covering a total distance of 20.4 km.
• Corridor 2: This corridor will connect the Coimbatore Railway Junction to Valiyampalayam Pirivu, spanning 14.4 km.

The section from the Textool Rail Over-Bridge to Surya Hospital on the Coimbatore-Sathyamangalam Road at Ganapathy is a narrow and congested stretch. Frequent traffic bottlenecks have made it a priority area for both metro expansion and road-widening efforts. By acquiring land in a coordinated manner, CMRL and the National Highways authorities aim to optimize space utilization and streamline development.

Financial Sanction and Land Requirements

The CMRL’s Project Management Committee sanctioned the ₹154 crore allocation for land acquisition on February 2, 2025. The designated area will be 24 meters wide, stretching from the Textool Flyover to Surya Hospital Junction. The land to be acquired is primarily located along the eastern side of the road.

Following the acquisition, National Highways authorities will begin the 3.1-km road-widening project, which is expected to improve traffic flow and facilitate smoother metro construction. By integrating both projects, authorities aim to reduce the time and costs associated with separate land acquisitions.

Survey and Infrastructure Adjustments

To ensure a smooth transition, the city corporation has requested ₹2 crore from CMRL to conduct a detailed land survey. This study will assess the land required along both metro corridors and identify necessary adjustments, such as the relocation of underground cables, water pipelines, and other utilities. Once completed, a comprehensive report will be submitted to CMRL for further action.

The report will guide the CMRL in addressing challenges related to land use and infrastructure relocation. Since metro construction often involves complex adjustments to existing urban systems, early identification of these requirements will help prevent delays.

Establishment of CMRL Office in Coimbatore

As part of its long-term metro development plan, CMRL intends to set up an operational office in Coimbatore. The city corporation has agreed to provide space for this office on a rental basis. Once the office is established and staff appointments are made, metro-related activities in Coimbatore are expected to progress more efficiently.

The presence of a dedicated CMRL office in the city will enable quicker decision-making, better coordination with local authorities, and faster execution of project milestones. Officials believe that having a local office will improve communication between various stakeholders, including the city corporation, revenue department, and highways authorities.

With the initial land acquisition process underway, authorities are optimistic about the timely execution of the Coimbatore Metro Rail Project. In the coming months, the revenue department will complete land acquisition, followed by road-widening efforts and preliminary metro construction work.

The Coimbatore Metro Rail Project is expected to significantly improve public transportation in the city, reducing congestion and providing a reliable alternative to road-based travel. The two corridors, once operational, will enhance connectivity between key areas, including the airport, railway junction, and major commercial zones.

Image source- chennaimetrorail.org