MRTS to be taken over by Chennai Metro Rail

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Travelling in Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) could soon undergo
change as state government is negotiating with Indian Railways to
transfer the operation to Chennai Metro Rail.

A senior metro rail source told Express that the state government has
put forth a proposal to take over MRTS from Southern Railway.

This would boost the operations of bringing all the elevated tracks
and underground tracks inside the city under one organization, the
metro rail source said.

He also said this would change the way MRTS is being operated. “Plans
are to refurbish the station and make it on par with Chennai Metro
Rail stations. Currently, the stations are nothing but gigantic blocks
of building, nearly empty, dreary, stinking and without any
infrastructure. “They also lack security,” the source said.

“The management of these stations currently is a lengthy process and
every decision has to be taken from New Delhi. With the change of
management, the stations could be managed more efficiently with Chennai Metro Rail taking the key decisions all by itself,” he said.

Of the 19 km line from Chennai Beach to Velachery, 15 km is elevated
and 4 km is at surface. The ongoing 5 km extension of the line from
Velachery to St Thomas Mount is also elevated.

Metro rail sources said that the proposal has to be decided by Railway
Board. “We are awaiting the nod from Indian Railways,” the source
said.

Interestingly, sources refused to reveal on whether the coaches would
be the same or it would also undergo change. It is learnt that the
current EMUs in the MRTS could also be replaced with air-conditioned
coaches with automatic doors.

Meanwhile, sources also said that three lines have been identified in
the second phase of the metro rail network. “These are in the initial
stages and we are awaiting nod from the government,” the source said.

Interestingly, Chennai Metro Rail is also awaiting defence ministry’s
clearance for building its second depot near airport. CMRL plans to
acquire 10 hectares of land for this project.