CMRL takeover of MRTS: T.N. govt. awaits nod from Railways, MoU signing delayed further

Tamil Nadu government awaits Indian Railways' approval to finalize MoU for CMRL's takeover of MRTS, delaying improvements.

The Tamil Nadu government has been awaiting the nod from Indian Railways for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with regard to the takeover of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

The MoU, which was expected last December, was then pushed to January. But sources said the MoU signing might pushed to the end of February or early March, based on when the Railways agrees to the takeover.

“It has almost been five months since the MoU document was sent to the Indian Railways. They have to examine the document and give their consent. Only after that, the MoU can be signed. We understand that the MoU is in circulation now within the Railways. While some of the Departments have given their go ahead, a few more are yet to, and we are waiting for it,” a source said.

“The MoU will have to be circulated to various departments, and the process is nearing completion. We may even have to send it to the board if needed. We have had quite a few meetings with the State government in the last month and half, and there is a lot of progress. We are trying to expedite the process and complete it,” an official of Railways said.

After the Railways concurs with the MoU, the document would be presented to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and a Government Order has to be issued. Then, the MoU would be signed between the Tamil Nadu government and Railways.

In July last year, the Railway Board gave in-principle approval, allowing CMRL to operate the MRTS system, maintain it, and transfer infrastructure assets, including land, trains, tracks, and signalling, among others. Post the signing of the MoU, CMRL would have two years to complete the process of takeover.