Coimbatore, also known as Kovai (in Tamil) is a major city in the state of Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore is a Tier 2 city but it is growing very quickly. The city is a famous industrial cluster, especially known for textile industries, because of which it is also known as the 'Manchester of South India'. Not many people are aware that more than half of India's pumps and motors are also manufactured in Coimbatore, which has also earned it the moniker of 'Pump city'. Other industries that have set up in Coimbatore are jewelry, auto components, poultry, and wet grinders.
Keeping in with its stature as a major regional city, Coimbatore has developed a decent urban infrastructure and connectivity with other cities in the region. Air connectivity is provided by the Coimbatore International Airport. Coimbatore is also connected by rail. In fact, it is the second highest income generating asset under Southern Railway, after Chennai.
The government is also planning to build a metro rail in the city. The metro, which will be partly funded by Germany, will reduce traffic in the city when complete. Coimbatore is well connected internally, by an efficient arterial road system. The famous Coimbatore by-pass connects the city with other major cities in the region and beyond. The city is connected by five national highways - NH 544 (Coimbatore to Salem), NH 948 (connecting Coimbatore to Kochi), NH 81 (Coimbatore to Chidambaram), NH 181 (Coimbatore to Gundlupet), and NH 83 (Coimbatore to Nagapattinam).
