MRTS to Be Handed Over to Tamil Nadu Govt; Metro-Standard Upgrade by 2029
Posted on: 07/Feb/2026 10:45:31 AM
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said a detailed MoU is being prepared between the Tamil Nadu government and the Railway Ministry for the handover of Chennai’s MRTS to the state. A draft MoU from Southern Railways is expected next week, with signing likely by June.
Once taken over, the MRTS will be upgraded to metro standards by January 2029, officials said. The transfer will include all infrastructure, operations, and maintenance. The Tamil Nadu government is expected to pay ₹600–700 crore for the takeover, which may take 24–30 months.
The integration aims to improve urban mobility and seamless connectivity with Chennai Metro Rail Limited, with plans to introduce AC coaches for MRTS services.
