After 15-year wait, Railway Board finally approves merger of MRTS with Chennai Metro Rail
During the transition period of two years, the entire train operations would be handed over to the CMRL. The merger of the MRTS was initiated through a proposal dated January 27, 2011 sent by Tamil Nadu government.
On August 12, 2026, the Union Ministry of Railways officially approved the merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu government, signed in May 2026, laid out the specifics of the merger. The MRTS, a project that began in the First Master Plan of 1975, had been under consideration since January 2011.
The new arrangement will see the Southern Railway take over assets, operational, and maintenance responsibilities for the MRTS, excluding core train operations and maintenance, within 90 days. For the following two years, CMRL will handle all train operations. During this period, the Tamil Nadu government is responsible for paying the full agreed amount, or partial payments, and transferring necessary infrastructure and rolling stock.
The merger, approved by the Railway Board, aims to enhance operational efficiency but may limit the demand for direct services from St. Thomas Mount railway station to Arakkonam and Gummiddipoondi.
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