Coimbatore: E Sreedharan, popularly known as ‘Metro Man’, says metro rail is the most suitable public transport system for Coimbatore.

Speaking to TOI, Sreedharan said the crippling traffic could be reduced in Coimbatore in future only if a metro rail was implemented.

Coimbatore MP PR Natarajan also urged the state government for speedy implementation of the metro project.

In 2013, Sreedharan conducted a survey from Upplipalayam to Coimbatore International Airport and Upplipalayam to Thudiyalur. After the survey, Sreedharan announced that to reduce heavy traffic in the city, metro rail project can be implemented on these two corridors. However, former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was interested in implementing mono rail project in Coimbatore. Sreedharan opposed the idea of implementing mono rail project.

After the demise of Jayalalithaa, the state government announced the metro rail project for Coimbatore.

Sreedharan told TOI that the metro rail would reduce private vehicles on the road and bring commuters to use the metro rail for speed and convenience.

“The distance of 44km of metro rail project is not advisable. If something happens on the line or a train is held up for some reason, people will suffer a lot,” Sreedharan said.

Natarajan said the city needs metro rail service. But the state government has been constructing flyovers on many stretches. The DPR should be very transparent and the state government should conduct public hearing before implementing the project.s

