MRTS gets new time table from March 14 as train services to St. Thomas Mount begin

MRTS introduces a new timetable from March 14, extending services to St. Thomas Mount with added shuttle options.

Southern Railway has issued a time table for the operation of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains from Saturday (March 14, 2026) in the wake of the operationalisation of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) Extension Project from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount.

In a press release, Southern Railway said 43 pairs of train services had been extended to St. Thomas Mount and five pairs of shuttle services would also be operated. Of these shuttle services, two pairs will operate between Chennai Beach and Velachery and three will run between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount. This arrangement is owing to the train shed for MRTS located adjacent to the Velachery railway station.

As per the time table, the first train service will begin from Velachery at 4.50 a.m. and reach Chennai Beach at 5.40 a.m. In the other direction, the first train will start at the Chennai Beach station at 5 a.m. and reach the St. Thomas Mount station at 6.05 a.m. The shuttle service from Velachery to St. Thomas will be operated at 5.25 a.m., 6 a.m., and 3.10 p.m. The shuttle services to Velachery will start at 11.05 a.m., 7.45 p.m., and 9.55 p.m.

As part of the extension of MRTS service till St. Thomas Mount, two new railway stations of Puzhuthivakkam and Adambakkam have been added. However, due to operational constraints, trains will not halt at the Adambakkam station in both directions. Southern Railway is taking all steps to commence train stoppage at the Adambakkam station, which will be notified separately, the release added.

Social activist V. Rama Rao wanted railway officials to expedite the necessary works for beginning halts at the Adambakkam railway station at the earliest, as several residential localities, including Pazhavanthangal and Nanganallur, are located nearby.