MRTS extension opens after 2 decades, commuters face first-day confusion

CHENNAI: Nearly two decades after it was first conceived, the 4.5km MRTS extension from Velachery to St Thomas Mount was commissioned on Saturday, making St Thomas Mount only the second intermodal hub in the city after Chennai Central, linking MRTS, suburban rail and Metro services.

Southern Railway was to open the stretch with three new stations — St Thomas Mount, Puzhuthivakkam and Adambakkam. But only two stations are operational for now, as Adambakkam station remains closed with civil works still under way.

On the first day of operations, several commuters reported confusion while using the new stations. Passengers said they were unsure which platform their train would arrive at until announcements were made at the station, leading to last-minute movement between platforms.

Some passengers said the situation was particularly confusing for those using the route for the first time after the extension. With trains running at around 25minute intervals, commuters said missing a train due to platform uncertainty could mean a long wait for the next service.

Passengers also pointed to access issues around Puzhuthivakkam station.

“The approach to the station is still difficult and is absolutely dirty. People have been waiting for this station for years, and what we get after nearly 20 years are dirty corridors and inaccesible entry points,” said R Sekar, a Puzhivakkam resident.

Despite the initial confusion, commuters welcomed the long-awaited extension, saying the link to St Thomas Mount would significantly improve connectivity across the city’s rail network.