MRTS services to be partly suspended for seven months; the point of stoppage yet to be decided

Even as the Southern Railway is working out the modalities for suspending the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for the fourth line project to be carried out between Chennai Beach to Egmore, thousands of commuters are worried that the train services could be curtailed

Even as the Southern Railway is working out the modalities for suspending the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for the fourth line project to be carried out between Chennai Beach to Egmore, thousands of commuters are worried that the train services could be curtailed.

Earlier this week, an internal memo of the Southern Railway stating that the MRTS services from Velacherry would be terminated at Chepauk for seven months from July 1 went viral. However, the Southern Railway officials said they had not taken a final decision yet.

Over one lakh people travel by MRTS trains between Chennai Beach and Velachery every day. A majority of them are office-goers, daily wage labourers and passengers of long-distance trains.

Notices pasted at the ticket counters of MRTS stations informing commuters that the services would be suspended between Chennai Beach and Chepauk from July 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024 came as a jolt to the commuters.

Asked about the notice, the railway officials confirmed that the services would be suspended from July 1. “The discussions are on the feasibility of extending the services till Chintadripet and Park Station along with running a shuttle service from the station where it is proposed to be stopped to Chennai Beach,” said a senior railway official.

The Commercial Division of the Southern Railway put up the notice to alert season ticket holders, the officials clarified and added that the railways was working out modalities to minimise the hardship of the commuters.