DEVELOPMENT OF MRTS PHASE-I IN CHENNAI

The first phase of the Mass Rapid Transit System(MRTS) from Chennai Beach to Thirumylai for a length of 8.55 km.was taken up for implementation by Government of India(GOI) through the Ministry of Railways in 1983-84. The project was cleared by the Union Planning Commission and sanctioned by the Railway Board in 1983-84 at an estimated cost of Rs 53.46 crores. The project has been completed and commissioned in October 1997. The cost of completion of the project is Rs. 260 crores.
 

The Government of Tamil Nadu(GTN) on their part agreed to make available 19.68 hectare of Government land and 0.54 hectare of private land and handed over the same to Railways free of cost. The cost of the land is presently valued at Rs. 60 crores. About 3500 families affected by the project were rehabilitated at a cost of about Rs.6.00 crores by the GTN.

The MRTS Ph.I project was launched by the GOI with a commitment to meet the estimated cost of the project in full, inclusive of the cost of construction, rollingstock, signal system, etc.
  

The MRTS Ph.I is on surface for a length of 2.75 km and elevated for a length of 5.80 km. Out of 8 stations, 5 are elevated. There are two tracks for uninterrupted operation of train service between the terminal stations. The system can carry about 6 lakhs trips a day. The system presently carries about ten to twelve thousand commuters/day.