Chennai Metro-MRTS Merger: PMO Urges Faster Progress
The Prime Minister’s Office has instructed the Railway Board to expedite the long-pending merger of Chennai`s MRTS with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The directive follows Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin`s recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the merger was highlighted as a priority.
The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) submitted the proposal in February 2024, noting MRTS incurs ₹104 crore in annual operating costs with only ₹50 crore in revenue. Though the Railway Board had raised queries, officials say all have been addressed.
Commuters and officials alike are hopeful the merger, delayed for over a decade, will soon move forward. Inspections of MRTS stations by CMRL have already begun, raising hopes for improved facilities and integration with the metro system.
