Inauguration of MRTS services between Velacheri-St Thomas Mount postponed
Commuters in Chennai hoping to use the long-awaited direct MRTS train between Chennai Beach and St Thomas Mount will have to wait a little longer.
The planned inauguration of the Velachery-St Thomas Mount extension on March 10, 2026, has been delayed as the final operational clearance for the line has not yet been issued..
The extension was expected to open this week to improve connectivity across the city and help passengers affected by recent changes in suburban train services.
However, railway officials say services cannot begin until the mandatory safety certification is granted.
The delay is linked to the final approval required from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Although a detailed inspection of the line has already been conducted, the safety certificate needed to start operations is still pending.
During an inspection carried out on March 5, a team led by Janak Kumar Garg from Delhi examined the newly built track and infrastructure. Officials tested the line by operating a train along the route and also conducted trolley inspections to assess track alignment and overall safety conditions.