The long-awaited merger of Chennai’s Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) could finally move forward, as the Railway Board has given its ‘in-principle’ approval to the proposal. However, a formal decision is still pending, officials confirmed.

The development follows the completion of a key infrastructure project and the drafting of a framework for asset transfer between Indian Railways and the Tamil Nadu government.

In a written reply to queries raised in Parliament by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that both parties have jointly prepared principles for a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU). However, the operational merger will depend on resolving challenges linked to train operations, asset maintenance, and safety compliance.

The transfer of MRTS operations to CMRL was previously held up awaiting the completion of the fourth railway line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore. Sanctioned in March 2022 at a cost of Rs 2.8 billion, this crucial segment was commissioned earlier this year.