**Policy Summary: Transfer of Chennai MRTS to Chennai Metro Rail Limited**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1822 regarding the transfer of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) from Indian Railways to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
The Ministry of Railways (MoR) agreed to a study by CMRL, at the request of the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA); the final report was submitted in February 2018. It was decided that the transfer could commence after the completion of the 4th line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore (4 km). This project was sanctioned in March 2022 at a cost of Rs. 279.80 Crore and was completed and commissioned in March 2025.
A special committee consisting of officers from Railways and GoTN has been formed under Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) to prepare a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) based on broad framework principles.
While the Ministry anticipates better synergy amongst various modes of transport in Chennai benefiting commuters, it acknowledges that the merger is a complex process. Issues regarding train operation, maintenance of assets, and safety need to be addressed, and therefore, a specific timeline for the complete transfer cannot be provided at this stage.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, provided the answer to the Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System: Also known as MRTS, it is a suburban rail system in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, currently operated by Indian Railways.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited: Also known as CMRL, the entity proposed to take over the operation and management of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
Government of Tamil Nadu: Also known as GoTN, the state government that requested the transfer of MRTS to CMRL.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Indian Railways and involved in the decision-making regarding the MRTS transfer.
Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs: Also known as MoHUA, another Indian government ministry involved in the decision-making regarding the MRTS transfer.
Chennai Beach: A railway station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and part of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System. Mentioned in the context of the 4th line construction.
Chennai Egmore: A railway station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and part of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System. Mentioned in the context of the 4th line construction.
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority: Also known as CUMTA, an authority involved in discussions regarding the transfer of MRTS.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1822
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
CHENNAI MASS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
1822. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to transfer the operation
and management of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS)
from Indian Railways to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) the details of the reasons for the delay in the full transfer of MRTS
services and infrastructure to CMRL;
(c) whether the Government is considering any financial, operational, or
legal restructuring to enable a smooth transition and if so, the details
thereof; and
(d) the expected timeline for the complete transfer of the MRTS network to
CMRL and the benefits envisaged for commuters through this
integration?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): On request of Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) and Ministry
of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Railways (MoR) had
agreed for a study to be undertaken by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)
Cntd…2/--2-
through a consultant and final report was submitted in Feb, 2018. During a
meeting held on the issue with the officials of GoTN, CMRL & MoHUA, it
was decided that the proposed taking over of Mass Rapid Transit System
(MRTS), Chennai by CMRL can only start after completion of construction
of 4th line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore (4 Km).
Work of 4th line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore has
been sanctioned in March, 2022 with a cost of Rs. 279.80 Crore. The work
has been completed and commissioned in March, 2025.
To finalize the framework/principles before finalizing the detailed
MoU for handing over of MRTS to GoTN, a meeting was held between
Railway and Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA)
and special committee was formed, consisting of Officers from Railways
and GoTN. The committee has prepared the broad framework/principles for
preparing a detailed MoU. Merger is a complex process involving issues of
train operation, maintenance of assets & safety and timeline cannot be
stated at this stage.
Handing over of MRTS to GoTN is likely to bring better synergy
amongst various modes of transport in Chennai which will benefit
commuters through this integration.
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