This long-awaited project saw progress last July when the Railway Board agreed in principle to transfer and merge MRTS operations with CMRL. Recently, a joint proposal was submitted to the Railway Board for final approval, which sources expect by the end of July 2026.
Following the Railway Board’s approval, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu State government will be signed. This agreement will enable the formal takeover process and lead to gradual upgrades in infrastructure and systems.
Southern Railway had initially forwarded a draft MoU to the Railway Board in April 2026. Afterward, the board requested a joint proposal with the State government’s concurrence, which was submitted recently.
The estimated cost of the project is currently around ₹4,500 crore. The State government is considering various funding options ahead of signing the MoU.
Though the original deadline for the MoU was December 2025, the process experienced delays as Tamil Nadu awaited Railway consent on the agreement.
Daily MRTS commuters have eagerly awaited this takeover, anticipating improved maintenance and service quality. Commuter and activist T. Sadagopan expressed hope for policy continuity and swift final approval, stating, “A commuter who takes the train every day yearns for better maintenance and services in the MRTS system.”
The takeover marks a significant step toward modernizing Chennai’s suburban transit and offers prospects for enhanced commuter experience in the near future.
