After 15-year wait, Railway Board finally approves merger of MRTS with Chennai Metro Rail
The Indian Railway Board has approved the merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited after a 15-year delay. The transition will involve transferring assets and operations to the Chennai Metro over the next two years.
Why it matters
This merger is a major infrastructure development for Chennai, aimed at streamlining urban transit and improving commuter services.
The Union Ministry of Railways has finally approved the proposal for merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for which a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) has also been signed. In a circular issued by Railway Board, New Delhi, to the General Manager of Southern Railway dated August 12, 2026 the draft MoU signed between the Southern Railway and the Tamil Nadu government in May this year goes out to broadly outline the handing over of assets, and the operation and maintenance of MRTS suburban train services.
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