The proposed integration of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) under Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has encountered a setback as the Railway Board, responsible for railways under the Union List, delays its decision on the matter.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and financial sustainability, remains in limbo despite consensus among the state government, CMRL, and Southern Railway on the broad principles of the merger. Initially tabled in February, the proposal awaits formal approval from the Railway Board, which stakeholders speculate could have been influenced by recent electoral activities. The delay persists despite the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority’s efforts to facilitate the merger and formulate a comprehensive takeover framework.
MRTS, spanning approximately 24.3 km from Chennai Beach to St. Thomas Mount, currently operates with Southern Railways managing the segment from Chennai Beach to Velachery. The final stretch to St. Thomas Mount is under construction, with the corridor encompassing 21 stations, primarily elevated with a few at surface level. MRTS continues to incur substantial losses, estimated at around INR 84 crore annually. The state government has proposed to absorb these losses upon assuming control of MRTS operations, a move contingent on the Railway Board’s green light.
Should the proposal receive approval, CMRL and Southern Railway are set to hold stakes of 67% and 33%, respectively, in the merged entity. However, practical integration hinges on the completion of the fourth line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore, a critical infrastructural component sanctioned at INR 280 crore in March 2022. The prospect of CMRL’s takeover represents a strategic effort to streamline Chennai’s urban transit landscape, potentially enhancing service reliability and commuter convenience. The impending decision by the Railway Board will be pivotal in determining the future course of this integration, influencing both operational dynamics and financial viability within Chennai’s public transport sector.
