MRTS stations to be transformed with better amenities by 2028

Commuters may witness the transformation of MRTS stations in the city with better amenities by 2028.

All facilities, including trains, signalling, traction, and telecom, will be upgraded to Metro standards. “As with the Delhi Metro, broad gauge air-conditioned coaches will be ordered for the Chennai Beach-Velachery MRTS network. We are planning to use the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system,” a source said.

The current estimate for CMRL’s takeover of MRTS stands at about ₹4,200 crore. Of this, ₹1,200 crore will be required for the procurement of 25 three-coach air conditioned trains.

Initially, the Chennai Metro Rail had planned to revamp the stations in about six months, but there has been a change of plan. Bids for a project management consultant will be floated, and tenders for station upgrades issued, after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between the State government and Southern Railways.

The Chennai Metro Rail has readied the preliminary project report, based on which a detailed project report for renovating the stations will be drawn up next year. “If the tender is floated by February, then the contract for DPR preparation can be finalised by June. The DPR itself may be ready in about six months — by December next year — if all goes according to this timeline,” another source said.

Sources said the MoU was getting finalised and may be signed in January. “The next round of meeting will be held with Railways, and then the State government. If the proposal is recommended by the respective stakeholders, then the MoU will be signed, and a Government Order will be issued. We expect these processes to be completed by January-end,” he added.

The MoU broadly details the transfer of assets, operation transition, future coordination, evaluation of the viaduct, and the legal aspects.