Former DMK minister V. Senthilbalaji addressing protesters in Coimbatore on November 20, 2025 | Photo credit: M. Periasamy
Chief Minister MK Stalin will bring Metro Rail to Coimbatore and Madurai, former DMK Minister V Senthilbalaji said in Coimbatore on Thursday (Nov 20, 2025). The DMK cadre and its alliance parties staged a protest in Coimbatore against the central government for rejecting the Coimbatore Metro Rail proposal.
Mr. Senthilbalaji alleged that the Center had not initially sanctioned funds even for the Chennai Metro Rail project. “The DMK government tried to provide funds. Yet the project was implemented. Why will it not be possible for the Tamil Nadu government to implement the Coimbatore Metro? The DMK government will be able to implement the Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai,” he claimed.
The AIADMK and its alliance parties, including the BJP, won 10 seats in the Coimbatore region in the assembly elections. So why is the Center rejecting the Metro Rail project for Coimbatore, he wondered.
Mr. Senthilbalaji said that Mr. Stalin had executed projects like Avinashi Road flyover, Semmozhi Poonga, Library and Jewelery Park in Coimbatore. Alleging that the AIADMK and its leaders have amassed wealth and allied themselves with the BJP to protect themselves, he said the party was no longer relevant in the state.
“Centre rejected the proposals on flimsy grounds even though detailed project reports (DPRs) were submitted 15 months ago. Coimbatore Corporation has 16 thousand voters. It is one of the fast growing cities and Tamil Nadu is the second largest tax paying state in India. Even the World Bank rejected the DPRs. Center approves them immediately for BJP states and Madiura approves it. Is there any other city where Metro Rail project was rejected?” he asked.
The BJP did not win any seat in Tamil Nadu in the assembly elections and will not win any in the next assembly elections, the former minister added.
Published – 21 Nov 2025 0:30 AM IST
