CUMTA prepares detailed plan for upgrading city’s MRTS network ahead of CMRL takeover

From the formation of an exclusive Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) division at the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to hiring firms for security and housekeeping, the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has chalked out a detailed plan for upgrading the city’s MRTS network.

The CUMTA, which has played a pivotal role in the city’s urban mobility ecosystem over the past few years, is working to kickstart the CMRL’s takeover of the MRTS.

This project, which was in limbo for nearly 15 years, got a fillip in July last year, when the Railway Board gave its consent for the takeover.

With the Memorandum of Understanding expected to be signed shortly and the takeover only a few months away, the CUMTA has formulated 12 measures and recommendations for the takeover, and shared them with CMRL.

At first, the CMRL must create a dedicated MRTS division with a separate set of officials to quickly get the initial work started, officials said.

“Since the phase 2 project involves a lot of work and a majority of CMRL officials are occupied with it, establishing an exclusive division for MRTS upgradation is essential,” an official said. Following this, the CMRL should begin work to enhance the security and cleanliness of the stations, he added.

Meanwhile, plans are already under way to float bids first for two firms — one for security services and the other for housekeeping. While the plan was to execute these two tasks last year, the CMRL later decided to do so after the signing of the MoU.

“Nearly 60% of the station area will be earmarked for refurbishment immediately, and it will be spruced up for passengers at first. The rest will be for business development,” another official said.

The CMRL should identify non-functional lifts and escalators and repair them at first. Later, it can replace the facilities wherever needed, the CUMTA said.

Following this, a fresh set of trains will be ordered, which will take nearly two years to be delivered.

“This upgradation will be a mammoth task considering how starkly different the CMRL and MRTS stations are. The CMRL will have to put in a huge effort to transform the network over the next few years,” another official said.

Technical glitch

Due to a technical glitch, commuters couldn’t buy QR tickets in CMRL stations for a brief period on Saturday. Sources said the problem lasted from 8.45 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“We received quite a few complaints from passengers, as theywere unable to buy the QR tickets during this period. As a result, the staff had to issue handwritten tickets to passengers,” a source said. The issue arose as the server was down, but it was later resolved, another source said.

CMRL posted on X: “Due to a technical glitch, online tickets (QR tickets), including those purchased through the mobile app, are temporarily unavailable. Passengers are requested to purchase tickets from the Metro Station ticket counters until further information. Rectification works are in progress. CMRL regrets the inconvenience caused.”

Rohheeth, a commuter, posted: “@cmrlofficial your server is down. But the ticket amount is debited. The staff are charging the full amount and no 20% off. At the counters, they are giving handwritten tickets. Not acceptable at all.”