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The opening of two important railway projects in Chennai has been delayed due to pending approvals, and construction is not yet over. These projects include the extension of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) from Velachery to St Thomas Mount and the first section of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase
2 corridor. Both routes are expected to improve transport links in suburbs with limited connectivity and help thousands of daily commuters save travel time.
MRTS Extension & Reasons Behind the Delay
The 4.5-km MRTS extension between Velachery and St Thomas Mount took nearly 20 years to complete, and was planned to open on March 10. However, officials said the line cannot begin operations yet because approval from the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) is still pending. The safety official inspected the route on March 5 but has not yet issued the final clearance needed to start services. Railway authorities said the approval could come within a day or two, but the project will miss its planned launch date. The MRTS project has faced delays in the past due to issues, including land acquisition and coordination challenges between different government agencies. Many commuters are disappointed by the delay because the new stretch will connect MRTS with suburban railway and metro services at St Thomas Mount, creating a major transport hub and improving travel across the city.
Approval for Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani Corridor
Meanwhile, the 14.6-km metro corridor from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani, which is the first operational part of Metro Phase 2, has received conditional approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).
Before services can start, Chennai Metro Rail Limited must complete the installation of 26 deck slabs on a double-decker viaduct along the route. Officials expect this work to finish around March 10. After the work is done, the authorities will set the final date for metro services.
