After over a decade of stagnation, the long-awaited merger of Chennai’s MRTS with the Chennai Metro Rail has received a much-needed boost. The Prime Minister’s Office has now directed the Railway Board to fast-track the process following a recent appeal by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Commuters and transport authorities alike hope this marks a decisive turn in the merger’s fate.
The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), which has been pushing for the merger, confirmed that the PMO has stepped in after the CM submitted a memorandum during the NITI Aayog meeting. As a result, the Railway Board has raised specific queries, all of which Southern Railway has reportedly addressed. Officials now await a final nod from the Board.
Urban mobility experts say the merger could play a crucial role in creating a truly multimodal transport ecosystem in Chennai. By integrating ticketing systems, station infrastructure, and scheduling between MRTS and Metro Rail, the city could offer smoother last-mile connectivity and reduce dependence on private vehicles. This, in turn, would contribute to decongestion, lower emissions, and a more sustainable urban commute.
The MRTS, currently operated by Southern Railway, has long struggled with low ridership and poor maintenance. According to CUMTA, the service incurs an annual operating cost of ₹104 crore but brings in only about ₹50 crore in revenue. By contrast, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has built a reputation for better cleanliness, efficiency, and user satisfaction.
Commuters and urban transport experts argue that the merger would bring about critical upgrades in service quality and integration. Many have voiced frustration over delays and deteriorating infrastructure at MRTS stations. Vast underutilised station spaces, if managed by CMRL, could be transformed into commercially viable areas, further enhancing commuter experience and revenue generation.
If implemented swiftly, this long-pending merger could usher in a new era of seamless public transport in Chennai. With support from both the state and central governments, the integration promises to unify urban mobility and ensure better service for lakhs of daily commuters. Citizens now await not just proposals and meetings, but visible change on the ground.
