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The Union Ministry of Railways has approved the long-pending proposal to merge Chennai's Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been prepared to guide the transfer of the MRTS and its future operations.
Railway Board has Approved Merger of MRTS with CMRL After 15 Years
The Railway Board issued a circular to Southern Railway on August 12, 2026, regarding the draft MoU signed between Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu government in May. The agreement explains how MRTS assets will be transferred and how the suburban train service will be operated and maintained.
The MRTS project was first proposed under Chennai's First Master Plan in 1975. Train services initially operated between Chennai Beach and Velachery and were later extended to St. Thomas Mount. The extension was commissioned in March 2026. This section has stations at Puzhithivakkam and Adambakkam; one of them is yet to become operational.
The Tamil Nadu government initiated the merger proposal in January 2011. After several discussions and meetings over the years, the plan has now received approval.
Operation & Maintenance Work
Under the draft MoU, Southern Railway will transfer most MRTS assets and general maintenance responsibilities to CMRL within 90 days. However, core train operations and maintenance will initially remain with Southern Railway. During a two-year transition period, these responsibilities will gradually be transferred to CMRL.
The transfer will include land, infrastructure at 19 of the 21 stations, lifts, escalators, foot overbridges, tracks, signalling and telecommunications systems, and electric multiple-unit trains.
Special arrangements are also planned at Chennai Beach and Fort stations. Two platforms, 9 and 10, at Beach may be allocated for MRTS services. At Fort, the Tamil Nadu government will construct a crossing station to provide track crossovers.
A committee of senior officials from Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu government has been formed to oversee the transition, with the CUMTA convenor coordinating the process.
Consumer activist T. Sadagopan welcomed the merger, saying it could improve MRTS operations. However, he noted that it may end hopes of restoring direct MRTS services from St. Thomas Mount to Arakkonam and Gummidipoondi.