+
Chennai Metro Rail's MRTS takeover nears completion
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Chennai Metro Rail's MRTS takeover nears completion

The proposal for Chennai Metro Rail to take over the Mass Rapid Transit System has been sent to the Railway Board for its in-principle approval.

Although the plan was suggested more than a decade ago, it has only now reached the final stage.

An official from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) mentioned that the proposal had been sent some time ago. The land management directorate had positively recommended it and forwarded it to the finance department, which raised a few queries to the Southern Railway regarding the cost breakdown. The official expected the Southern Railway authorities to respond to these queries within 2-3 weeks. Following this, they would wait for the in-principle approval of the Board, which they anticipated would come by July.

According to the plan, the railway authorities would run the train services during the initial period while Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) would focus on developing the stations and enhancing the station facilities.

Once the in-principle approval from the Board was received, a Memorandum of Understanding would be signed to initiate the process of taking over MRTS. Subsequently, CMRL would form a special purpose vehicle to manage and operate MRTS.

After the MoU was signed, tenders for the commercial development of stations would be floated, a process that could last more than a year. The only remaining detail to be finalized was whether the trains would be entirely air-conditioned or have a few air-conditioned coaches in each train. This discussion was still on-going between CUMTA and CMRL. After the coaches were ordered, it might take about one and a half years for them to arrive.

The proposal for Chennai Metro Rail to take over the Mass Rapid Transit System has been sent to the Railway Board for its in-principle approval. Although the plan was suggested more than a decade ago, it has only now reached the final stage. An official from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) mentioned that the proposal had been sent some time ago. The land management directorate had positively recommended it and forwarded it to the finance department, which raised a few queries to the Southern Railway regarding the cost breakdown. The official expected the Southern Railway authorities to respond to these queries within 2-3 weeks. Following this, they would wait for the in-principle approval of the Board, which they anticipated would come by July. According to the plan, the railway authorities would run the train services during the initial period while Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) would focus on developing the stations and enhancing the station facilities. Once the in-principle approval from the Board was received, a Memorandum of Understanding would be signed to initiate the process of taking over MRTS. Subsequently, CMRL would form a special purpose vehicle to manage and operate MRTS. After the MoU was signed, tenders for the commercial development of stations would be floated, a process that could last more than a year. The only remaining detail to be finalized was whether the trains would be entirely air-conditioned or have a few air-conditioned coaches in each train. This discussion was still on-going between CUMTA and CMRL. After the coaches were ordered, it might take about one and a half years for them to arrive.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

UERC Rejects Pleas Over Cancelled 200 MW Solar Awards

The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has rejected review petitions filed by 12 solar developers against the cancellation of Letters of Award (LoAs) issued under the state’s 200 MW Solar Programme.The scheme, launched by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) under the 2013 solar policy, aimed to help Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) meet its renewable purchase obligations through tariff-based competitive bidding.The projects—classified under the Type I category—had original commissioning deadlines in 2019–2020, later extended multiple ti..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Solarium Wins Rs 266 Million Rooftop Solar Orders

Solarium Green Energy has secured two significant work orders valued at a combined Rs 266 million for rooftop solar projects across various locations in the Northeastern States, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.The first order, worth approximately Rs 129.8 million, was awarded by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for the development of a 3,319 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This was tendered under the NVVN’s “Selection and Discovery of L1 Rates for Rate Contract for EPC of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV Projects (51–200 kW) across India”. The project is scheduled ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Omaxe Secures Rs 5 Billion From Oaktree For Expansion

Omaxe Group has raised Rs 5 billion in funding from Oaktree Capital Management LP, a global investment firm specialising in alternative investments, to fuel the development of ongoing projects and support future growth plans.In a regulatory filing dated 28 July, the company confirmed that the funds will support construction and infrastructure development across key markets, including New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Faridabad. The capital will also be directed towards flagship projects such as Omaxe State in Dwarka, an upcoming integrated township in Amritsar, and a new township in Indor..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?