Chennai Beach–St. Thomas Mount MRTS Line Likely to Be Handed Over to Metro Rail; ₹4,500 Crore Upgrade Planned

In a major development for Chennai`s public transport network, a policy-level decision has been taken to transfer the Chennai Beach–St. Thomas Mount MRTS corridor to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The proposal is awaiting approval from the Railways.

If approved, CMRL plans to undertake a comprehensive modernization project worth ₹4,500 crore to upgrade the corridor and improve commuter facilities. The project includes the redevelopment of 21 MRTS railway stations, enhancement of passenger amenities, improved connectivity, and modernization of rail infrastructure.

Officials aim to complete the upgrade works by the end of 2028, which is expected to significantly improve urban mobility and integrate the MRTS network more effectively with Chennai Metro services.

The proposed transfer is seen as a major step towards creating a seamless and efficient public transportation system in Chennai, benefiting thousands of daily commuters.