TIRUCHY: The lack of any announcement regarding the much-anticipated metro rail for Tiruchy in the 2025-26 state budget has left residents disappointed.
Many had expected a proposal for the project, especially after the 2023-24 budget sanctioned metro rail for Coimbatore and Madurai. However, the latest budget remained silent on Tiruchy’s metro and instead focused on metro projects for Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai.
"It is a huge disappointment that the budget didn’t mention anything about the Tiruchy metro. There was also no proposal on electric buses for Tiruchy. The budget mentions electric buses only for Coimbatore, Madurai, and Chennai," said H Ghouse Baig, a retired railway official and city resident.
While some viewed the announcement of a 250-acre industrial park as a positive development, others were unimpressed, citing the lack of details on its location or cost.
However, the budget did allocate Rs 400 crore for riverside development, including sewage treatment plants, footpaths, and streetlights in Tiruchy, Madurai, Erode, Coimbatore, and Tirunelveli corporations.
"Since Tiruchy had already done riverfront development in prime areas using the smart city fund, it should use this budget allocation for riverfront development in underdeveloped areas like Palakkarai, Alwarthoppu, etc.," suggested RK Regupathy, a senior citizen and retired PWD officer.
Additionally, Tiruchy city has been allocated an 'Anbucholai'—a care centre for senior citizens—one of the 25 announced in the budget. The proposals for an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Mudhalvar Padaippagam (a centre for students preparing for competitive examinations), and measures to ensure women's safety were also welcomed.
"There has been no major project allocation to Tiruchy. Though most ministers have often asserted that the development of centrally located Tiruchy district is crucial for the state, the budget proposals don’t do justice to such claims. The government has to clarify the likelihood of a metro project for Tiruchy," said Sangeetha Karthikeyan, a resident and school teacher.
