Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System
Velachery MRTS Station
Velachery MRTS Station
Overview
OwnerSouthern Railway
LocaleChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Transit typeRapid Transit
Number of lines1
Number of stations18
Daily ridership100,000[1]
Annual ridership36.5 million
HeadquartersChennai
Websitewww.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Operation
Began operation1 November 1995 (1 November 1995)
Operator(s)Southern Railway
Train length9 coaches
Technical
System length19.34 km (12 mi)
No. of tracks2
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
System map

Chennai Beach – Velachery
– St Thomas Mount
km
0
 Chennai Beach
Blue Line to Wimco Nagar
Rajaji Salai
 High Court
1.8
 Chennai Fort
Muthuswamy Road
2.64
 Chennai Park Town
Chennai Park
 Chennai Central Logo of Chennai Metro
Blue Line to Chennai International Airport
South Line
Pallavan Salai
Cooum River
3.53
 Chintadripet
Anna Salai
5.10
 Chepauk
5.84
 Thiruvallikeni
7.05
 Light House
Radhakrishnan Salai
 Mundakanniamman Koil
8.73
 Thirumayilai
9.77
 Mandaveli
Kamaraj Salai
11.09
 Greenways Road
 Adyar River
11.96
 Kotturpuram
Sardar Patel Road
12.89
 Kasturba Nagar
13.86
 Indira Nagar
14.72
 Thiruvanmiyur
16.64
 Taramani
17.78
 Perungudi
19.41
 Velachery
Velachery Road
 Puzhuthivakkam
Adambakkam
Green Line to Chennai Central
24.72
 St. Thomas Mount
South Line to Chengalpattu Junction

Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System is a metropolitan elevated railway line in Chennai, India. It is operated by Southern Railway of the state-owned Indian Railways. Opened in 1995, it was the first elevated railway line in India and is integrated with the wider Chennai suburban railway network. The railway line runs from Chennai beach to Velachery, covering a distance of 19.34 km (12.02 mi) with 18 stations.

The project was approved in 1983-84 with construction beginning in 1991. The first phase from Chennai beach to Chepauk was completed in 1995 with further extension to Thirumyilai completed in 1997. Part of second phase from Thirumyilai to Thiruvanmiyur was completed in 2004 with the extension to Velachery in 2007. As of 2023, the planned extension to St. Thomas Mount is still under construction.

The MRTS line is largely elevated, with at-grade sections at its terminals. The line runs at grade initially till Park Town, parallel to the suburban railway network and becomes elevated thereon, roughly following the course of the Buckingham Canal, running parallel to the Coromandel Coast till Thiruvanmiyur before deviating right towards Velachery.

The MRTS uses 9-car electrical multiple unit (EMU) train sets, manufactured by Integral Coach Factory and runs on broad gauge. As of 2015, the system had a ridership of 1 lakh commuters per day. The MRTS system is planned to be taken over by Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

History

Background

The Chennai Suburban Railway started operating in 1931 with a single metre gauge line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram and two more lines were added connecting Chennai Central with Arakkonam and Gummidipoondi in 1985.[2] In 1965, the Planning Commission set up a team to study to assess the adequacy and limitation of existing transport facilities, to determine the feasibility of different modes of transport and recommend phased programmes for development of transport facilities in major cities including Madras.[3]

Planning

To supplement the existing suburban rail network in Chennai, a number of surveys were conducted by the Madras Area Transportation Study Unit (MATSU), which was set up by the Planning Commission during 1968–1970 and the Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP), which was established by Indian Railways in July 1971.[4] The study identified eight important transport corridors including the 39-km north–southeastern rail corridor along the Buckingham Canal.[5]

A feasibility study was conducted by RITES, an engineering and infrastructure enterprise of the Government of India in 1975 and suggested a rail-based mass transit system between Kasturba Nagar and Manali Road. The system was envisaged as a 59.38 km (36.90 mi) loop line passing through Chennai Beach and Tiruvottiyur.[6] In 1984, the Government of Tamil Nadu began planning for a new railway line to connect the southern part of the city as the existing suburban lines offered no connectivity to the region.[7] Since the planned railway line would pass through congested parts of the city, an elevated rail system with an alignment along the Buckingham Canadl was selected, as it would avoid land-acquisition problems.[8] The project was intended to be implemented in four phases: Chennai beach to Thirumayilai, Tirumailai to St. Thomas Mount, St. Thomas Mount to Villivakkam and Villivakkam to Ennore.

Construction and opening

Railway map of the Chennai showing the operational and under construction MRTS lines

The project was taken up for implementation by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India in 1983–84 at an estimated cost of ₹534.6 million (US$6.7 million).[9] After many delays, construction began in 1991 and part of first phase from Chennai beach to Chepauk was completed in 1995. It became operational on 1st November 1995 and was the first operational elevated railway line in India.[2] The line was extended to Thirumayilai in 1997.[10] When the first phase between Chennai Beach and Thirumyilai was completed in 1997, the project had costed ₹2,690 million (US$34 million) compared to the initial estimate of ₹550 million (US$6.9 million) planned for in 1984.[5] The first phase was projected to cater to 6 lakh passengers per day but the patronage turned out to be lesser than projected.[11]

The second phase of the project was taken up on the basis of the study conducted by RITES during 1987 and 1994 and taking into account population growth and the capacity of public transport system.[3] In 1998, the Railway Board accorded sanction of executing Phase II of the project from Thirumayilai to Velachery.[12] Part of phase II from Thirumaylai to Thiruvanmiyur was opened on 27 June 2004.[13][14] On 19 November 2007, the network was further extended from Thiruvanmiyur to Velachery constructed at a cost of ₹7,690 million (US$96 million).[15][16] While Phase I was fully funded by the Southern Railways and the state government gave the required land, for Phase II, the state government contributed two-thirds of the project cost.[17]

The progress of different phases of the project is summarized below:[18]

Phase Length Route Stations Opening Date Status
Phase I-A 5.10 km (3.17 mi) Chennai Beach–Chepauk 5 16 November 1995 Operational
Phase I-B 3.63 km (2.26 mi) Chepauk–Thirumayilai 4 19 October 1997 Operational
Phase II-A 5.99 km (3.72 mi) Thirumayilai–Thiruvanmiyur 6 26 January 2004 Operational
Phase II-B 4.69 km (2.91 mi) Thiruvanmiyur–Velachery 3 19 November 2007 Operational
Phase II-B Extension[19] 5 km (3.1 mi) Velachery–St. Thomas Mount 3 TBD Under construction

Future plan

The extended second phase of the project, connecting Velachery with St. Thomas Mount was not completed due to alignment and land acquisition issues.[20][21] According to the Railway Budget 2012, the section was to be commissioned by December 2013.[22] In October 2012, land acquisition was resumed by CMDA the Madras High Court vacated a stay.[23] There were further delays in land acquisition and only 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) of the stretch was completed by May 2014.[24] Further cases were filed by land owners demanding higher compensation, based on the Land Acquisition Act 2013 in 2014 and 2015.[25] In March 2016, Southern Railway stated that MRTS final phase will take at least 18 more months from the date of receiving land from the state government which was yet to start the process of acquiring land as per new rates.[26] In 2018, discussion between residents and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority failed and the Madras High court dismissed petitions challenging land acquisition for the project.[27] After CMDA filed a case regarding the land acquisition in 2020, the land was acquired for the completion of the project.[28][29] Despite plans to make the final strech operational in steps by 2022, As of December 2023, the line is still under construction.[30][31]

The third and fourth phases of the MRTS were initially planned to connect St. Thomas Mount with Villivakkam and Villivakkam with Ennore, respectively.[32] However, with the implementation of the Chennai Metro Rail, the plan for developing these two phases have been dropped, since these overlap with the alignment of the Chennai Metro Rail.[33] The MRTS is proposed to be merged with Chennai Metro Rail Limited.[34] In July 2018, PwC said the merger would be a costly affair costing around ₹ 3,000 crore to change the trains and other facilities to facilitate the merger.[35] On 11 May 2022, Southern Railway granted in-principle approval for the Chennai Metro to takeover the MRTS.[36]

Infrastructure

MRTS runs on an elevated course for most of its route length. Pictured is the crossing over OMR

Route

The MRTS line is largely elevated, with at-grade sections at its terminals. From Beach to Chennai Park Town station, the line runs at grade, parallel to the suburban railway network. Following Chennai Park Town station, the line's first phase becomes elevated and follows the course of the Buckingham Canal, which runs parallel to the Coromandel Coast. The line remains elevated for the alignment of the second phase up to Perungudi, after which it returns to an at-grade section at Velachery. The 19 km (12 mi) line from Chennai Beach to Velachery is 15 km (9 mi) elevated and 4 km (2 mi) at surface.[18] The ongoing 5 km (3 mi) extension of the line from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount is also elevated.

Stations

Each MRTS station has a unique design. Pictured Chindadripet station

The MRTS line currently has 18 operational stations. The Chennai Beach station is a hub terminal for several suburban trains, and, along with Chennai Fort station, it serves the commercial locations of Broadway and Parry's Corner. Chennai Park Town station is located opposite Chennai Central, which is a hub for both long-distance express trains and suburban trains. Places of tourist interests such as Parthasarathy Temple and Kapaleeshwarar Temple are located close to Thiruvallikeni and Thirumayilai MRTS stations, respectively. Marina Beach spans along the stretch of the Thiruvallikeni and Light House stations, in addition to the Chepauk station, which lies abutting the Chepauk Stadium. The MRTS also passes through those areas of Chennai where the information technology (IT) industry is located—while the Kasturba Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and Indira Nagar stations are located on the IT corridor, the neighbourhoods of Perungudi, Taramani and Velachery also have IT establishments. The St. Thomas Mount station at the southern end of the alignment, upon completion, will have three different types of railway networks, namely, the suburban and long-distance express trains plying on the conventional tracks at grade level, the MRTS elevated station at level 1 and the Chennai Metro Rail at level 2.[37] Each station is designed by a different architect and is built to accommodate a 9-car train.[38]

# Station name[39] Distance (km)[18] Opening Connections Layout
EnglishTamilTransliteration
1Chennai Beachசென்னை கடற்கரைCennaī Kadarkarai01 November 1995Suburban – South Line
Suburban – North Line
Suburban – West Line		At Grade
2Chennai Fortசென்னை கோட்டைCennaī Kottai1.701 November 1995Suburban – South LineAt Grade
3Chennai Park Townசென்னை பூங்கா நகர்Cennaī Poonga Nagar2.541 November 1995Central Main Line
Suburban – South Line
Suburban – West Line
Suburban – North Line
Metro – Blue Line
Metro – Green Line		At Grade
4Chintadripetசிந்தாதிரிப்பேட்டைChinthadripettai3.431 November 1995Elevated
5Chepaukசேப்பாக்கம்Chepakkam51 November 1995Elevated
6Thiruvallikeniதிருவல்லிக்கேணிThiruvallikeni5.7419 October 1997Elevated
7Light Houseகலங்கரை விளக்கம்Kalangarai Vilakkam6.9519 October 1997Elevated
8Mundagakanniamman Koilமுண்டகக்கண்ணியம்மன் கோவில்Mundagakanniamman Kovil7.92514 May 2014Elevated
9ThirumayilaiதிருமயிலைThirumayilai8.6619 October 1997Elevated
10Mandaveliமந்தைவெளிMandaiveli9.69926 January 2004Elevated
11Greenways Roadபசுமைவழிச் சாலைPasumaivazhi Salai11.0226 January 2004Elevated
12Kotturpuramகோட்டூர்புரம்Kottoorpuram11.89226 January 2004Elevated
13Kasturba Nagarகஸ்தூரிபாய் நகர்Kasturibai Nagar12.82426 January 2004Elevated
14Indira Nagarஇந்திரா நகர்Indira Nagar13.79626 January 2004Elevated
15Thiruvanmiyurதிருவான்மியூர்Thiruvanmiyur14.65526 January 2004Elevated
16TaramaniதரமணிTharamani16.5719 November 2007Elevated
17Perungudiபெருங்குடிPerungudi17.71319 November 2007At Grade
18Velacheryவேளச்சேரிVelachery19.3419 November 2007At Grade
MRTS coaches have open doors on both sides. Pictured is an EMU at Thirumayilai

Various plans have been made to make use of the empty space in the MRTS stations.[40] In February 2009, IRCTC envisaged to set up food stalls at 12 MRTS stations.[41][42] In September 2013, the IRCTC set up food stalls at three stations Tirumayilai, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery.[43] In April 2018, IRCTC opened the first food plaza at Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station.[44]

Design

The Chennai MRTS bears greater resemblance to the Chennai Suburban Railway as opposed to a true rapid transit line as it uses the same gauge as the suburban system, thus allowing the movements of passengers between the existing suburban lines and the MRTS.[45] The trains run on the MRTS are Electric multiple units and do not have automatic doors like a metro train. Ballastless track is used between Tirumayilai and Velachery.[46] The elevated tracks are built at an average height of about 14 metres (46 ft) from the ground.[47]

Chennai MRTS uses 9-car EMUs; Pictured is an EMU at Velachery station

Rolling stock

The Chennai MRTS uses 9-car electrical multiple unit train sets.[48] The trains use 25 kV overhead catenary for power supply and run on broad gauge lines.[49][50] A nine-car rake is typified by three motor coaches each at the front, the middle and the last with the motors used to run the wheels of the train at a stipulated speed limit.[51] The MRTS coaches have entry and exit on both sides and the coaches are manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Unlike most rapid transit systems, and like the Chennai Suburban Railway, the MRTS has first-class passenger seating but does not have air-conditioned coaches.[52]

Operations

Timing

The current operational route length between Chennai Beach and Velachery is 19.34 km (12.02 mi) with an average speed of 29 km/h (18 mph) and a journey time has been 45 minutes.[53][54] The first train departs from Chennai Beach at 4:15 am, and the last one departs at 9:35 pm. From Velachery, the first train departs at 5:00 am to Chennai beach, with the last train departing Velachery at 10:20 pm.[55] On Sundays and holidays, 51 trips are operated.[56]

Fares and ticketing

Fare structure of the Chennai MRTS[57]
Distance (km)2nd-Class Fares1st-Class Fares
Adult (₹)Child (₹)Adult (₹)Child (₹)
1–5554545
6–10554545
11–15555545
16–20558055
21–2510108555

The fare structure of the Chennai MRTS is integrated with that of the Chennai Suburban Railway, as both are operated by the Southern Railways. In addition to the fare scheme listed in the table, which is meant for one-time ticketed travel, the Southern Railways has monthly tickets and quarterly season tickets for more frequent travelers.[58] Short validity tickets are available for tourists.[59] Tickets can be bought at the counters or booked through mobile app.[60]

Patronage

Station-wise footfalls (2009-10)

The ridership increased from approximately 25,000 in 2000 to 66,518 people in 2008.[61] When the MRTS was extended up to Velachery in 2007, it saw a three-fold increase in the revenue.[62] In 2015, the ridership increased to 100,000 commuters a day.[63][1]

As the route passes close to some of the most famous temples of Chennai, the MRTS operates special trains during popular religious festivals such as the Vaikunta Ekadashi at Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane and Arupathumoovar at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore.[64][65] Special trains are also run during cricket matches at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk,[4][66][67] Kaanum Pongal at Marina Beach[68][69][70] and bus strikes.[71]

Of the system's 18 stations, Park Town, Thirumayilai, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery account for nearly 40 percent of the ridership.[72] In a measure to increase patronage, the MRTS had adopted several schemes to draw potential passengers.[73] In 2023, Chennai Urban Transport Authority (CUMTA) introduced plans to improve last-mile connectivity to improve usage.[74] The extension up to St. Thomas Mount is expected to increase patronage derived from people working in the IT establishments, residences and other offices near to the MRTS network and St. Thomas Mount station, having an interchange with Chennai metro.[75][76]

Finances

In a ten month period in 2009-10, the MRTS earned a revenue of ₹12.76 crore (US$1.6 million) with ₹12.21 crore (US$1.5 million) from ticketing sales and had operating expenses of about ₹23 crore (US$2.9 million), translating into losses of more than ₹10 crore (US$1.3 million).[77] As of 2023, the MRTS registered revenues of ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million) annually. But with an estimated operational expenses of about ₹105 crore (US$13 million), the annual losses widened to ₹85 crore (US$11 million).[74][78]

Tracking

MRTS schedules are available on Google Maps or Google Transit and this feature has been extended for Android smartphone devices too.[79][80][81][82] SMS tracking facility has been implemented in MRTS trains. The trains have been fitted with GPS devices and the new method will help finding the position of the trains in real time without human intervention.[83]

Criticism

MRTS has been criticized for poor maintenance of stations, lack of inter-modal transport facility, environmental and security issues.[84] Access to the Chennai MRTS remains an issue as it does not fully integrate with other modes of transportation in the city.[85][86] As per a survey conducted in 2012, special focus was required on pedestrian facilities that would provide access to MRTS stations from nearby roads and bus stops, apart from identifying new feeder routes for the network.[87] With the completion of connectivity to St. Thomas Mount, the MRTS will be able to integrate into the grid of the Chennai Suburban Railway and the Chennai Metro Rail, thus sharing an inter-modal transportation interchange with both the systems, when it is expected to reach its full potential due to uninterrupted movement of commuters across different rail lines in the city.[88]

The system has been criticized for improper maintenance of stations and the infrastructure.[89] The stations often face vandalism, seepage of rainwater through holes in the roofs and non-functional station amenities such as lifts and escalators.[90][91] In a recent bid to provide improve the security of the passengers using the network, it has been decided that the MRTS stations would have a single entry and exit point as it has been difficult for the RPF personnel to monitor multiple gates at the same time.[92][93] There is a 20% shortage in the strength of the railway protection force in MRTS stations.[94] Chennai Metro is planned to takeover the system so that the line will be modernized with better stations, integrated ticketing systems, better facilities for passengers, increased frequency of services taking into consideration passenger demands, and better maintenance.[95]

The MRTS has been criticised for environmental issues during its construction phase, due to the fact that much of the alignment was built along the banks of the Buckingham Canal.[96] Although the canal itself has been in decline due to fly tipping and sewage, the Chennai River Restoration Trust has planned to revitalize and redevelop it.[97] However, a 7.1 kilometres (4.4 mi) section of the canal will remain impassable due to the presence of the MRTS and the impact caused by the erection of MRTS pillars blocked of the natural flow of storm water during rains. This has led to severe stagnation of rainwater in the neighborhoods adjoining the canal.[98]

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Velachery-St Thomas Mount MRTS stretch to get metro like stations". Times of India. 7 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 Chennai Division, SR (PDF) (Report). Southern Railway. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 Report No.5 of 2006 (Railways) (PDF) (Report). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 Vydhianathan, S. (28 September 2003). "On the wrong track?". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. 1 2 Indian Engineering Heritage (PDF) (Report). Indian National Academy of Engineering. p. 50. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Sreevatsan, Ajai (10 August 2010). "Metro Rail may take over MRTS". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Vageesh, N.S. (27 September 2003). "A princely ride in Chennai's MRTS". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mass rejected transit system". Business Today. 4 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "Development of MRTS in Chennai". CMDA. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Ajai Sreevatsan (31 October 2011). "Evolution of Chennai's Public Transport System" (PDF). The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "MRTS work in progress". New Indian Express. 16 July 1994. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  12. ↑ pdf uploads (PDF). Indian Railways (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  13. ↑ T. E. Raja Simhan, M. Ramesh (18 August 2007). "Extended MRTS stretch in Chennai ready for inauguration". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "MRTS services extended". The Hindu. 27 January 2004. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Tiruvanmiyur-Velachery MRTS service opened". The Hindu. 20 November 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  16. ↑ Traffic and Transportation, Chapter 5 (PDF). CMDA (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "MRTS Phase II: Three steel girders installed across existing tracks". The Times of India. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 Presentation on MRTS & Rail facilities in and around Chennai (PDF). Traffic Transportation and Parking – Session 2 (Report). Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "MRTS-suburban train linking work resumes after long delay". The Hindu. 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Protest against MRTS corridor realignment". The Hindu. Chennai. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Threat of relocation evokes protests as Southern Railway alters MRTS alignment". The Times of India. Chennai. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  22. ↑ Railway Budget 2012-13 (PDF) (Report). Government of India. p. 25. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "MRTS upto St. Thomas Mount back on track". The Hindu. Chennai. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "Decks cleared for acquisition of land for Adambakkam station". The Hindu. 10 April 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  25. ↑ C Shivakumar (23 May 2014). "MRTS Phase II Extension Starts Next Month". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "The final leg of Mass Rapid Transit System for a distance of 500 metres is not likely to be completed in the near future". The Hindu. 27 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "Land acquisition talks for MRTS link fail again". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Chennai MRTS's last stretch to be delayed further as CMDA approaches SC". The News Minute. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Chennai: Last-mile demolition to acquire land for MRTS extension begins". Times of India. 7 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  30. ↑ "MRTS extension stopped in its tracks". The Times of India. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "Velachery-St Thomas Mount MRTS by 2022-end". New Indian Express. 28 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  32. ↑ "Towards a discussion of support to Urban Transport development in India, March 2005" (PDF). World Bank. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  33. ↑ Traffic Transportation And Parking (PDF) (Report). Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. p. 5. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  34. ↑ "Chennai Metro-MRTS merger report in six months". The Hindu. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  35. ↑ Sekar, Sunitha (19 July 2018). "Metro-MRTS merger likely to be a costly affair". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  36. ↑ "MRTS merger with Chennai Metro gets railway's approval". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  37. ↑ A. Srivathsan (13 April 2010). "Integrated station at St. Thomas Mount planned". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  38. ↑ "Chennai MRTS – Chennai". placesonline.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  39. ↑ "Indian Railways Time Table". Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  40. ↑ Aloysius Xavier Lopez (5 October 2013). "Amma canteens may soon come up at Chennai's MRTS stations". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  41. ↑ "Snazzy food stalls at MRTS stations". Times of India. 27 February 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  42. ↑ Ayyappan, V. (30 March 2012). "IRCTC to build food kiosks at MRTS stations off-track". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  43. ↑ Vivek Narayanan (28 September 2013). "Missed a meal? Grab a bite at MRTS station in Chennai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  44. ↑ "IRCTC opens 1st food plaza at Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station". Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  45. ↑ "Metro – Urban – Suburban Systems". IRFCA. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  46. ↑ "MRTS cuts ride time from Beach to Velachery". The Times of India. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  47. ↑ Manikandan, K. (2 December 2014). "A long trek for a train". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  48. ↑ "MRTS goes full nine-car". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  49. ↑ G.Ananthakrishnan (27 February 2013). "Why no AC train for Chennai MRTS?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  50. ↑ "General Description of Electrical Rolling Stock". Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  51. ↑ Three phase EMU (PDF) (Report). Indian Railways. p. 5. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  52. ↑ "Plan to launch AC coaches on Chennai suburban trains a non-starter". The Times of India. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  53. ↑ "Operational time of MRTS trains revised". The Hindu. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  54. ↑ R.Srikanth (18 March 2012). "Technical snag delays MRTS services". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  55. ↑ Chennai Beach – Velachery – Chennai Beach Week days service (PDF) (Report). Southern Railway zone, Indian Railways. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
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