Southern Railway sends draft MoU to Railway Board for Chennai MRTS Takeover by CMRL

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): After months of delay, Southern Railway has forwarded the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeover of Chennai’s Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to the Tamil Nadu government. The draft is expected to be sent to the Railway Board in March.

If the Railway Board grants clearance within the next few months, the MoU could be signed by June, formally initiating the long-awaited takeover process. The proposal to integrate MRTS with CMRL dates back to 2010, but has faced repeated delays, frustrating commuters who have long demanded better station infrastructure and seamless integration.

The Railway Board had granted in-principle approval for the takeover in July last year. However, the MoU is yet to be finalised. According to sources in the state government, Southern Railway has introduced certain new clauses in the draft MoU that are considered restrictive. Discussions are expected to resume shortly, and the revised draft may be sent back to Southern Railway within a week or two, with hopes that it will then be forwarded to the Railway Board for final approval by March.

Any delay in signing the MoU until June could further postpone the much-needed revamp of MRTS stations. Initially, CMRL had planned to float tenders for station upgrades even before the MoU was signed, but that plan has now changed. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will first be prepared, and tenders for station modernisation will be issued only after the MoU is executed.

Officials emphasised the importance of maintaining current infrastructure standards during the transition. Even after the MoU is signed, Southern Railway will continue to maintain MRTS stations for a two-year transition period, while CMRL undertakes upgradation works. Ensuring that facilities such as elevators and escalators remain functional during this period will be critical for commuter convenience.

An estimated ₹4,000 crore will be required to upgrade the Chennai Beach–Velachery MRTS stretch. Discussions are currently under way to finalise funding arrangements for the modernisation programme.

Velachery–St Thomas Mount Extension Nears Completion

In a related development, the long-pending Velachery–St Thomas Mount MRTS extension has entered its final preparatory stage. Southern Railway has commenced internal joint inspections ahead of the mandatory statutory safety trial.

Chief Project Manager BNS Chalam stated that inspection teams, led by the Divisional Railway Manager and officials from multiple departments, are conducting detailed checks across the stretch from Velachery to St Thomas Mount. These inspections are part of preliminary preparations for the statutory review by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).

The CRS inspection date has not yet been finalised. The ongoing assessments aim to ensure readiness of track, signalling and operational systems before formal safety trials begin. Once the CRS grants clearance, passenger services can commence on the approximately 5-km link, providing direct MRTS connectivity to St Thomas Mount with interchange facilities to suburban EMU services and Chennai Metro.

The extension project, originally sanctioned in the mid-2000s, faced prolonged delays primarily due to land acquisition challenges. Its completion will mark a significant milestone in integrating Chennai’s elevated MRTS corridor with the broader suburban and metro network.

The proposed MRTS takeover by CMRL and the commissioning of the Velachery–St Thomas Mount extension together signal a potential turning point for Chennai’s urban rail ecosystem, promising improved integration, modernised stations and enhanced commuter experience in the years ahead.