Chennai MRTS to Get Metro-Like Facilities Within Two Years

Chennai’s MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) is set for a major upgrade after the Railway Ministry gave final approval to integrate the suburban rail corridor with Chennai Metro Rail.

The 23.98-km MRTS route currently operates between Chennai Beach and Velachery, with around 1 lakh passengers using the service every day. The Velachery–St Thomas Mount extension became operational on March 15, further improving connectivity.

Under the new plan, Southern Railway will hand over assets and general operations, excluding core train operations and maintenance, within 90 days. The complete train operation is expected to be transferred to Chennai Metro Rail Corporation during a two-year transition period.

During this period, several passenger-friendly improvements are expected, including AC trains, parking facilities, CCTV cameras, escalators and lifts. The aim is to provide MRTS passengers with facilities comparable to international-standard metro systems.

The integration is expected to give the MRTS corridor a major facelift and improve the overall travel experience for thousands of daily commuters in Chennai.