Chennai's Metro and MRTS Set to Merge

The long-awaited merger of Chennai’s Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) network has moved a step closer, with the Railway Board granting ‘in-principle’ approval to the proposal. While a formal decision is still pending, key groundwork has been completed to advance the integration.

A major milestone—completion of the fourth railway line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore, sanctioned in March 2022 at ₹279.8 crore, was achieved earlier this year, paving the way for the merger. In a written reply to Parliament, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that Indian Railways and the Tamil Nadu government have jointly framed guiding principles for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). However, the operational merger hinges on resolving critical issues related to train operations, asset maintenance, and safety protocols.

A special committee comprising officials from Indian Railways and the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has outlined the draft MoU, setting the stage for the long-pending integration of Chennai’s urban rail systems into a unified, efficient network.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.