Background

The Chennai Suburban Railway started operating in 1931 on an electrified line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram and two more lines were added connecting Chennai Central with Gummidipoondi in 1985 and Arakkonam later.^[2][3] In 1965, the Planning Commission set up a team to study to assess the adequacy and limitation of existing transport facilities, to determine the feasibility of different modes of transport and recommend programmes for development of transport facilities in major metropolitan cities including Madras.^[4][5]

Planning

To supplement the existing transport infrastructure in Chennai, a number of surveys were conducted such as the Madras Area Transportation Study (1968), Integrated Transport Plan (1977) and Madras Route Rationalisation Study (1986).^[6] The Madras Area Transportation Study Unit (MATSU) identified eight important transport corridors including the north–southeastern rail corridor connecting between Kasturba Nagar and Manali Road. The study suggested the implementation of a rail based Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) on the southern section of the line along the Buckingham Canal connecting to the existent suburban system.^[7] The MRTS system was envisaged as a 59.38 km (36.90 mi) loop line connecting Chennai beach and Tiruvottiyur.^[8]

Since the planned railway line would pass through congested parts of the city, an elevated rail system was selected, as it would avoid land-acquisition problems.^[9] The project was intended to be implemented in four phases: Chennai beach to Thirumayilai, Tirumailai to St. Thomas Mount, St. Thomas Mount to Villivakkam and Villivakkam to Ennore.^[10]

Construction and opening

The project was sacntioned for implementation by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India in 1983–84.^[7][5] After multiple delays, construction began in 1991 and part of first phase from Chennai beach to Chepauk was completed in 1995.^[7][11] It became operational on 16 November 1995 and was the first operational elevated railway line in India.^[7][2] The line was extended to Thirumayilai in 1997.^[7][12][13] When the first phase between Chennai Beach and Thirumyilai was completed in 1997, the project had costed ₹280 crore (US$35 million) which was completely borne by the Government of India.^[7] The first phase was projected to cater to 6 lakh passengers per day but the actual patronage turned out to be lesser than the projected estimates.^[14][10]

The second phase of the project was taken up on the basis of further studies conducted by RITES during 1987 and 1994, taking into account population growth and the capacity of public transport system.^[5] In 1998, the Railway Board accorded sanction of executing Phase II of the project from Thirumayilai to Velachery.^[5] Part of the phase II railway line from Thirumaylai to Thiruvanmiyur was opened on 27 June 2004.^[15][16] On 19 November 2007, the network was further extended from Thiruvanmiyur to Velachery.^[17][18] While Phase I was fully funded by the Government of India and the state government gave the required land, for Phase II, the state government contributed two-thirds of the total project cost of ₹691.04 crore (US$87 million).^[19][5][7]

The progress of different phases of the project is summarized below:^[20]

Route

The MRTS line is largely elevated, with at-grade sections at its terminals. From Beach to Chennai Park Town station, the line runs at grade, parallel to the suburban railway network.^[20][7][12] Following Chennai Park Town station, the line's first phase becomes elevated and follows the course of the Buckingham Canal, which runs parallel to the Coromandel Coast.^[7][12][39] The line remains elevated for the alignment of the second phase up to Perungudi, after which it returns to an at-grade section at Velachery. The 19 km (12 mi) line from Chennai Beach to Velachery is 15 km (9 mi) elevated and 4 km (2 mi) at surface.^[20][12] The ongoing 5 km (3 mi) extension of the line from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount is also elevated.^[12][20]

The route taken by the MRTS line has been criticized for choking the Buckingham Canal as many pillars of the elevated section of the railway have been placed on the canal bed.^[40] Although the canal itself has been in decline due to fly tipping and sewage, the government had planned to revitalize and redevelop it.^[41][40][42] However, a section of the canal will remain unavailable for navigation due to the presence of the pillars and the pillars have also reduced the canal width blocking the flow of storm water during rains.^[43][40][44]

Stations

The MRTS line currently has 18 operational stations.^[45] The Chennai Beach station is a hub terminal for several suburban trains, and, along with Chennai Fort station, it serves the commercial area of Broadway.^[46][47] Chennai Park Town station is located opposite Chennai Central, which is a hub for both long-distance express trains and suburban trains.^[48][49] Places of tourist interest such as Parthasarathy Temple, Kapaleeshwarar Temple and Mundagakanniamman Koil are located along the MRTS railway line.^[50][51][52] Marina Beach spans along a stretch of the line closer to Thiruvallikeni station and the Chepauk station lies abutting the Chepauk cricket stadium.^[53][54][55]

The MRTS passes along the OMR where many information technology (IT) companies are located.^{[56][57][58][59]} The St. Thomas Mount station at the southern end of the alignment, upon completion, will have three different types of railway networks, namely, the suburban and long-distance express trains plying on the conventional tracks at grade level, the MRTS elevated station at level 1 and the Chennai Metro Rail at level 2.^[60] There are large stations with attached parking lots and the stations are designed to accommodate six and nine-car train rakes.^[61]

Various plans have been made to make use of the empty space in the MRTS stations.^[63] In February 2009, IRCTC planned to set up food stalls at 12 MRTS stations.^[64][65] In September 2013, the IRCTC invited tenders to set up food stalls at three stations Tirumayilai, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery.^[66] In April 2018, IRCTC opened the first food plaza at Thiruvanmiyur station.^[67]

MRTS has been criticized for poor maintenance of stations, lack of inter-modal transport facility and security issues.^[68][69][70] The stations often face vandalism, seepage of rainwater through holes in the roofs and non-functional station amenities such as lifts and escalators.^[71][72]

In 2012, there was a shortage in the strength of the Railway Protection Force personnel at MRTS stations.^[73] In 2013, in order to improve the security of the passengers using the network, it was that the MRTS stations would have a single entry and exit point as it has been difficult for the RPF personnel to monitor multiple gates at the same time.^[74][75] Chennai Metro is planned to takeover the MRTS system so that the line will be modernized with better stations, integrated ticketing systems and better facilities for passengers.^[76]

Track

The Chennai MRTS line bears greater resemblance to the Chennai Suburban Railway as opposed to a rapid transit line as it uses the same broad gauge (5 ft 6in) as the suburban railway system, thus allowing the movements of trains between the existing suburban lines and the MRTS.^[7][77] Ballastless track is used between Tirumayilai and Velachery.^[7][78] The trains use 25 kV overhead catenary for traction.^[79][80][7]

Rolling stock

The Chennai MRTS uses 9-car electrical multiple unit train sets.^[81] A nine-car rake is typified by three motor coaches each at the front, the middle and the last with the motors used to run the wheels of the train at a stipulated speed limit.^[82] In India, EMU coaches are manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.^[83] The coaches are not air-conditioned and are equipped with first-class and second-class passenger seating.^[84][85][86]

Timing

The current operational route length between Chennai Beach and Velachery is 19.34 km (12.02 mi) and has a journey time of 45 minutes.^[20][87][88] The first train departs from Chennai Beach at 4:15 am, and the last one departs at 9:35 pm. From Velachery, the first train departs at 5:00 am to Chennai beach, with the last train departing Velachery at 10:20 pm.^[89] On Sundays and holidays, 51 trips are operated.^[90]

MRTS schedule is available on Google Maps on Android smartphone devices.^{[91][92][93][94]} SMS tracking facility is available with the trains tracked in real time without human intervention.^[95]

Fares and ticketing

The minimum fare for a second class Chennai MRTS ticket is ₹5 (6.3¢ US) and the maximum fare is capped at ₹10 (13¢ US).^[96][97] First class tickets cost about five times higher than the second class fare.^[98] In addition to one-time tickets for travel, the Southern Railways issues monthly tickets and quarterly season tickets for more frequent travelers.^[99][100] Short validity tickets are available for tourists.^[101][102] Tickets can be bought at the counters or booked through mobile app.^[103]

Patronage

The ridership increased from approximately 25,000 in 2000 to 66,518 passengers per day in 2008.^[104] When the MRTS was extended up to Velachery in 2007, it saw a three-fold increase in the revenue.^[105] In 2015, the ridership increased to about 100,000 commuters a day.^[106][1] Of the system's 18 stations, Park Town, Thirumayilai, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery account for nearly 40 percent of the ridership.^[107]

In a measure to increase patronage, the MRTS had adopted several schemes to draw potential passengers.^[108] In 2023, Chennai Urban Transport Authority (CUMTA) introduced plans to improve last-mile connectivity to improve usage.^[109] Indian Railways also operates special trains on certain occasions to boost revenue. As the route passes close to some of the most famous temples of Chennai, the MRTS operates special trains during popular religious festivals such as the Vaikunta Ekadashi at Parthasarathy Temple in Thiruvallikeni and Arupathumoovar festival at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore.^[50][51] Special trains are also run during cricket matches at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk,^{[54][110][111]} Kaanum Pongal at Marina Beach^[112][113] and bus strikes.^[114]

Access to the Chennai MRTS remains an issue as it does not fully integrate with other modes of transportation in the city.^[115][116] As per a survey conducted in 2012, special focus was required on pedestrian facilities that would provide access to MRTS stations from nearby roads and bus stops, apart from identifying new feeder routes for the network.^[117] With the completion of connectivity to St. Thomas Mount, the MRTS will be able to integrate into the grid of the Chennai Suburban Railway and the Chennai Metro Rail, thus sharing an inter-modal transportation interchange with both the systems and facilitate uninterrupted movement of commuters across different rail lines in the city.^[118] The extension up to St. Thomas Mount is expected to increase patronage derived from people working in the IT establishments, residences and other offices near to the MRTS network.^[119][120]

Finances

In a ten month period in 2009–10, the MRTS earned a revenue of ₹12.76 crore (US$1.6 million) with ₹12.21 crore (US$1.5 million) from ticketing sales and had operating expenses of about ₹23 crore (US$2.9 million), translating into losses of more than ₹10 crore (US$1.3 million).^[61] As of 2023, the MRTS registered revenues of ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million) annually. But with an estimated operational expenses of about ₹105 crore (US$13 million), the annual losses widened to ₹85 crore (US$11 million).^[109][121]