The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is in the process of seeking government approval for a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to acquire the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). This comes after Southern Railway agreed to hand over the entire transit system to the state government on an 'as is where is' basis.
Southern Railway has also proposed to provide 'hand-holding' support in operations and maintenance for one year free of cost during the transition period from the date of execution of the MoU. This offer is made as Chennai Metro rail, which is expected to take over the operations of MRTS, lacks the expertise to run trains. The sources further mentioned that EMU coaches, funded by the state government, will be handed over for operation to the state. If these coaches are returned to Indian Railways, they will either be reimbursed or adjusted with the state at a depreciated value.
The implications of this move suggest that the state is likely to revamp the MRTS infrastructure to align it with the standards of Chennai Metro after acquiring it. Additionally, sources revealed that the existing EMU fleet in the MRTS system of Southern Railway will be provided to the state free of cost for two years. However, lease charges will be applicable beyond the initial two years from the date of execution of the MoU.
