MRTS train services begin on Velachery-St. Thomas Mount extended section
The Hindu
MRTS train services now connect Velachery to St. Thomas Mount, enhancing Chennai's urban transport and benefiting nearby residents.
After decades of wait, train services began on Saturday (March 14, 2026) morning on the extended Velachery-St. Thomas Mount section, with an electric multiple unit (EMU) departing from St. Thomas Mount at 4.50 a.m.
Southern Railway said it has extended the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) services from Velachery (VLCY) to St. Thomas Mount (STM), marking a significant milestone in the expansion of Chennai’s urban-suburban rail network. The train services now connect to the Beach station and the southern parts of the city. People who reside in Nanganallur, Puzhuthivakkam, Adambakkam, Madipakkam, and adjoining areas will benefit from this service.
The newly commissioned Velachery-St. Thomas Mount section, spanning approximately 4.5 km, comprises three stations: Puzhuthivakkam (PZV), Adambakkam (ABKM), and St. Thomas Mount (STM).
With the commissioning of this section, St. Thomas Mount will serve as the terminal station, thereby strengthening rail connectivity in the southern parts of the city and facilitating convenient interchange with other suburban rail and Metro services operating from the station.
The extension of MRTS services up to St. Thomas Mount represents an important step in strengthening Chennai’s integrated urban transport network. The enhanced connectivity is expected to significantly benefit commuters by improving accessibility to key areas of the city and providing seamless interchange with other public transport systems, thereby contributing to more efficient and convenient urban mobility, Southern Railway further said.
MRTS train services now connect Velachery to St. Thomas Mount, enhancing Chennai's urban transport and benefiting nearby residents.
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