Taking over of MRTS in Chennai by CUMTA - Whats going on exactly now?
Posted on: 15/Sep/2023 9:27:55 AM
Soon, a consultant would be hired by CUMTA or Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for studying the feasibility of taking over MRTS or Mass Rapid Transit System. It is said that CUMTA would be operating MRTS with the help of existing rolling stock. This was mentioned by Mr. I. Jayakumar, CUMTA special officer.
Activities that would be carried out by consultant:
First, the consultant would review the earlier asset register. Then, the consultant would identify changes to the state of assets in 5 years, update the previous study report recommendations on retention and disposal of assets based on the discussion with the Southern Railways or SR. The consultant would finally produce a business plan for the operations of CUMTA. By the month of December, the business plan would be submitted and after that a revised MOU would be prepared.
It must be recalled that in the year 2017 the TN govt through CMRL appointed a consultant to prepare a report on taking over of MRTS in Chennai. Technical as well as operational problems associated with the taking over were identified by the study.
The study prepared a list of civil, electrical and signalling and telecommunication assets. It must be noted that the report also covered various legal and regulatory issues related to takeover. After the rules governing CUMTA were notified, things changed in the year 2019.For co-ordinating all public transport in Chennai, CUMTA would serve as a nodal agency.
Revised plan of operations:
The consultants would be required to renew the dedicated section of MRTS only from Chintadripet to Velachery. This would be according to the revised plan of operations. Mr. I. Jayakumar spoke about how the impact of the extension of St Thomas Mount would also be reviewed. He hinted that the merger could be started by the end of next FY 2024-25.
