Special Committee Set Up for MRTS Takeover by Chennai Metro, Says Railway Minister

A special committee has been set up to help with the long-delayed transfer of Chennai’s Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In response to DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi’s question about the delay, the minister said the committee includes officials from the Tamil Nadu government and Indian Railways. It was created after talks between the Railways and the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).

“The committee has established a general framework for a detailed MoU. Since the merger involves complicated issues related to train operations, asset maintenance, and safety, we cannot provide a specific timeline at this moment,” Vaishnaw said.

The proposal to transfer the MRTS to CMRL has been in discussion since a feasibility study was completed and submitted in February 2018. The final report was prepared in response to requests from the Tamil Nadu government and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

However, progress halted due to a key condition. The transfer can only begin after completing the 4 km fourth railway line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore.

Vaishnaw noted that the transfer would allow for better integration of Chennai’s transport systems. It would also make commuting easier through improved connections among different modes of transport.

Recently, the project has gained new momentum. According to The Hindu, a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office has moved the proposal closer to final approval with the Railway Board.

The MRTS-CMRL merger should simplify Chennai’s urban transit system. However, exact timelines remain unclear. Several operational and administrative challenges still need to be addressed.