As Chennai Metro Rail plans to build a single structure for both MRTS and metro between Adambakkam and St Thomas Mount to minimise land acquisition, MRTS commuters will get to travel on an elevated structure. The proposed 500 m link between St Thomas Mount and Adambakkam as part of phase 2 extension will be constructed at an elevated level, built right under the viaduct of the metro rail line.

There will be a single elevated corridor with two levels, one for MRTS line and one for Metro line, on the stretch between St Thomas Mount and Adambakkam. The metro line will be part of 118.9 km corridor 5 that runs from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and is expected to be at a height of 27 m from the road.

“It is proposed that the substructure for MRTS and elevated corridor-5 in this section may be constructed together with common or alternative pier arrangement to minimise land acquisition. The alignment shall continue with different heights on one side up to Adambakkam,” says CMRL’s detailed project report of phase-2 as reported by Times of India.

The construction of 500 m MRTS line as part of the Velachery-St Thomas Mount corridor has been stalled for the last 8 years due to land acquisition problems.

Talks between CMRL and Southern Railways is still under way for the takeover of MRTS operations, TOI reported.