Chennai Metro-Mass Rapid Transit System Merger: Southern Railway To Cover MRTS Operating Costs For Two Years

Southern Railway announced on Tuesday (5 August) that it will cover the operating expenses of the Chennai–Velachery MRTS for a two-year period, as the system’s assets and operations are handed over to the Tamil Nadu government and merged with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

During this period, Southern Railway will not only bear operational expenses but also provide train coaches and handle maintenance at no charge.

If the takeover is not completed within two years, SR may continue to operate the MRTS, but the TN government will be charged for operations and maintenance on actual cost basis, the railway press release clarified.

The plan involves using the existing Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) owned by Southern Railway for two years grace period.

After this, the EMUs will either be returned to SR or the TN government will pay their depreciated value, the statement added.

To ensure a smooth handover, Southern Railway will train CMRL personnel in the operations and maintenance of infrastructure and rolling stock.

Railway staff will remain deployed during the interim at no cost, while CMRL gradually recruits and develops its own workforce and facilities.

Certain assets, such as the yards at Fort and Chennai Beach, will continue to serve MRTS. Their future access terms and charges will be settled by a joint committee comprising officials from the railways and the state.

The Railway Board, which approved the transfer on 31 July, confirmed that all MRTS infrastructure including tracks, bridges, signalling systems, electrification, land, and buildings will pass to the Tamil Nadu government/CMRL.

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