Tamil Nadu Needs to Think Beyond the Metro

Context:
The article critiques the growing metro-centric urban transport model in India, particularly in medium-sized cities like Madurai and Coimbatore, and argues for cost-effective, inclusive, and people-centric mobility solutions better aligned with local commuting patterns and fiscal realities.

Key Highlights:

Policy and Political Context:

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the Union government for denying metro rail projects to Coimbatore and Madurai.

• Metro projects consume nearly 40% of India’s urban development funds, yet account for only 5–12% of daily urban trips in most metro cities.

Cost and Utilisation Concerns:

• Metro construction costs range between ₹300–900 crore per kilometre, imposing heavy long-term fiscal burdens.

• The average daily commute of informal urban workers is only 4–5 km, which metros are ill-suited to serve efficiently.

Mismatch with Urban Mobility Needs:

• India’s metro obsession is relatively recent and driven by aspirations for “world-class cities”.

• Metros primarily serve long-distance travel, while most urban trips are short, dense, and multi-directional.

Global Best Practices:

• Cities such as Curitiba, Bogotá, and Copenhagen achieved high mobility outcomes without heavy metro dependence.

• These cities prioritize bus-based systems, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly design.

Alternative Urban Mobility Vision for Tamil Nadu:

• Emphasis on electric buses, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), cycle highways, and walkable pedestrian zones.

• Focus on access, affordability, last-mile connectivity, and service quality rather than scale.

Sustainable Planning Concepts:

• BRT systems move more people per rupee compared to metros.

• 15-minute city model promotes compact, climate-sensitive urban development.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue: Over-reliance on metro rail for urban transport in mid-sized cities.

• Causes:

  • Aspirational urban planning

  • Centralized funding biases

  • Underestimation of informal travel patterns

• Government Initiatives:

  • Metro Rail Policy, 2017

  • Promotion of electric mobility

• Benefits of Alternative Transport:

  • Cost efficiency

  • Wider coverage

  • Reduced emissions

• Challenges:

  • Political preference for visible infrastructure

  • Coordination among urban agencies

• Impact:

  • More inclusive urban mobility

  • Better fiscal sustainability

Relevant Mains Points:

• Facts & Definitions:

  • Urban Mobility: Ease of movement using multiple transport modes.

  • BRT: High-capacity, bus-based rapid transit system.

  • 15-Minute City: Urban model ensuring proximity to essential services.

• Conceptual Clarity:

  • Mobility is about access, not speed alone.

  • Sustainable transport underpins climate resilience and social equity.

• Keywords:

  • Inclusive cities, last-mile connectivity, fiscal prudence, sustainable urbanisation

• Way Forward:

  • Adopt city-specific mobility planning

  • Scale up electric bus fleets and BRT corridors

  • Integrate land-use with transport planning

  • Promote walkability and cycling

  • Use data-driven assessment before approving mega projects

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 2: Governance – urban policy, cooperative federalism

• GS 3: Economy – infrastructure, public finance

• Prelims: Sustainable transport models, urban planning concepts