MRTS to merge with the Chennai metro
Posted on: 30/May/2017 10:19:57 AM
The Chennai Metro Rail Project was envisaged with the objectives of reducing the heavy traffic congestion and also to speed up the travel time of the passengers. The phase of the project is in progress covering a distance of 45 km in 2 corridors and almost 70% work is completed.
The public service of the Chennai Metro operated in 2 sections, Koyambedu-Alandur-Airport (Elevated corridor) and Thirumangalam- Nehru Park (Underground).
There has been a huge appreciation from the public who seem to enjoy the air-conditioned facility, especially in the scorching summer and the newly opened section has been hugely popular. The Chennai Metro project is ready for the next phases of expansion covering the whole city.
MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) covering Chennai Beach – Velachery section has been in operation for the last several years. The passengers have been patronising MRTS travelling with ticket fares ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10.
As there is no proper safety facilities in the segment, the patronisation of the Beach-Velachery has been rather poor. Also, as many basic amenities are not provided in this route and the railway stations, there has been a reduction in public patronization thus leading to a loss.
In this scenario, an earnest exploration has been undertaken whether to merge MRTS with the Chennai Metro. The various plans include providing the latest facilities in the MRTS segment Railway stations and the trains, providing the air-conditioning, providing better safety arrangements etc., and a detailed project draft is under preparation to be completed in 6 months.
The activities are jointly done by the Chennai Metro and the MRTS authorities. However, it appears that the merger of the 2 segments may take up to 3 years.
