Tamil Nadu government and Indian Railways are poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) within the next two months to formally merge the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The full transfer of operations is scheduled for completion by July 2027, in what is being seen as a landmark step towards delivering unified, efficient, and commuter-friendly public transport in the city.
The Railway Board’s in-principle approval for this long-anticipated integration marks a strategic shift in how Chennai’s multi-modal transit ecosystem will function. During the transition period, Southern Railway will continue to operate MRTS services, while extensive groundwork, including infrastructure upgrades, asset transfer protocols, and institutional restructuring, will unfold in parallel. The MRTS line — currently operating along a 15 km stretch from Chennai Beach to Velachery — has struggled with underutilisation, ageing infrastructure, and low service frequency, despite having the capacity to serve more than four lakh daily commuters. According to officials from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), a phased modernisation programme is underway to address these challenges and prepare the corridor for full metro-grade operations.
Detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared for each of the 18 MRTS stations, focusing not only on platform upgrades but also improvements in the surrounding 100-metre radius. The scope includes improved lighting, pedestrian safety, sanitation, and last-mile connectivity enhancements. Officials stated that this approach would ensure tangible improvements are visible to commuters well before the final transition. New rolling stock orders are in the pipeline, with delivery timelines estimated at 18 months or more. Parallelly, signalling upgrades and seamless interchanges with existing metro corridors are being prioritised to ensure a fully integrated commuter experience post-merger.
An integral piece of this integration is the Velachery–St Thomas Mount link — a 500-metre stretch that connects the MRTS and the metro systems. Work on this section, although delayed due to concurrent Chennai Metro construction, is now expected to be completed by December. The delay, primarily due to the erection of girders for the Sholinganallur–Porur line, will soon be resolved, paving the way for final-stage civil works on the MRTS extension. Once operational under CMRL, the merged network is expected to drastically improve urban mobility, reduce redundancy in public transport services, and enhance ridership through better reliability and frequency. Transport experts have welcomed the move, highlighting that a single operator model will also streamline fare policies, maintenance protocols, and passenger experience.
The integration aligns with broader urban transport goals under the National Urban Transport Policy, which emphasises sustainability, modal integration, and reduced dependence on private vehicles. With political will, bureaucratic coordination, and financial commitment converging, Chennai is well on its path toward a more efficient and equitable public transport future.
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