Image used for representation
| Photo Credit: M. Srinath
Southern Railway is planning to commission the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) extension project from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount station by March 10.The move comes in the wake of commuters complaining about the hardships faced due to the reduction of suburban train services at the Egmore railway station to facilitate redevelopment work.Southern Railway had announced that the suburban train services would be reduced for 45 days — from February 20 to April 5.It said in a press release that the commencement of MRTS services from St. Thomas Mount to Beach would reduce the burden on commuters affected by the cancellation of suburban services on the Beach-Tambaram and Chengalpattu section and increase commuter patronage for MRTS services.Facing severe criticism from various political parties for reducing the suburban train services, Southern Railway has planned to operate 15-car electrical multiple units for 10 services, with five services each on the up and down directions from Beach to Tambaram.The special services would have limited stops at Tambaram, Mambalam, Guindy, Egmore, and Beach.At present, only 12 car rakes are being operated on the section.Special bus tripsAs per the request of Southern Railway, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation would operate 20 special bus trips from the Tambaram railway station to Beach via Guindy, Anna Salai, Chepauk, and the Secretariat, during the morning and evening peak hours.The special trips have been arranged free of cost for commuters holding season tickets and daily tickets.The special buses would have stops at Sanatorium, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Tirusulam, Guindy, Ezhilagam, Secretariat, and Parry’s Corner. Published - February 26, 2026 01:09 am IST
