TN Govt and Indian Railways set to sign Chennai MRTS-Metro Integration MoU by December 2025

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): In a long-awaited move toward seamless urban mobility, the integration of Chennai’s elevated Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the city's metro rail network is poised to move forward, with the state government and Southern Railway expected to sign a formal transfer agreement by December 2025.

Once executed, the agreement will empower Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to assume full operations, maintenance, and management responsibilities for the MRTS network. The full transition is scheduled for completion by December 2027, aligning with the city’s broader mobility goals under the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer was reviewed and approved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the second governing board meeting of CUMTA held on Monday.

“In the next two days, we will meet railway officials to discuss the MoU. After approval, a government order will be issued and the MoU will be finalised,” said I. Jayakumar, Special Officer of CUMTA.

Key Aspects of the Agreement

The development comes after months of intensive negotiations between the Tamil Nadu government and Indian Railways. A joint committee comprising officials from the state finance and urban development departments, CMRL, and Southern Railway worked to resolve complex matters such as:

• Asset ownership and transfer mechanisms

• Staff redeployment and HR transitions

• Financial liabilities and maintenance cost structures

• Long-term responsibilities for infrastructure and safety compliance

The deal has the backing of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). In May 2025, CM Stalin raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a NITI Aayog meeting, following which the PMO directed the Railway Board to expedite the process. The Railway Board gave its in-principle approval by July, endorsing the broad framework and principles for finalising the MoU.

A Seamless Mobility Vision for Chennai

The integration of MRTS and metro services will be a watershed moment in Chennai’s transport evolution. Once unified, commuters will be able to transfer between MRTS and Metro corridors using a single ticketing system—particularly beneficial for dense corridors such as Chennai Beach–Velachery and the expanding metro grid under Phase II.

The move will also improve service reliability, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability, experts believe. CMRL’s proven record in metro operations and transit-oriented development is expected to enhance the long-underutilised MRTS network, which has struggled with falling ridership, ageing infrastructure, and limited last-mile connectivity.

The transition is also aligned with CUMTA’s overarching goal of creating an integrated, multi-modal transport system that improves commuter convenience, reduces congestion, and supports Chennai’s sustainable growth as a modern metropolis.