TN to Buy Railways' 33% Chennai MRTS Stake for Full Control, Integration with CMRL

• Tamil Nadu government to acquire Indian Railways' 33% stake in Chennai MRTS, gaining full ownership.
• CMRL is expected to pay Rs 600-700 crore for the stake, with an MoU likely by January.
• The state is seeking Rs 4,000 crore from the World Bank to upgrade MRTS and integrate it with CMRL, marking India's first rail-to-Metro takeover.
• Southern Railway approved the transfer of all MRTS assets and operations to CMRL on July 31.
• The revamp aims for a Metro model system by December 2027, including new coaches, station upgrades, and improved last-mile connectivity.

Why It Matters: Tamil Nadu's MRTS takeover creates India's first integrated urban rail system.