Urban Governance & Social IssuesGS-IGS-II· 1 min read
Concerns over Safety and Maintenance of Chennai's MRTS Stations
Why in news?
The Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in Chennai, once envisioned as a futuristic transport model, is now facing severe criticism for poor maintenance, inadequate amenities, and security lapses, leading to incidents like a recent death.
Key points
- MRTS was conceptualized in the 1970s as India's first elevated mass public transport corridor.
- Despite being built with good passenger amenities, current maintenance is poor.
- Incidents of sexual assault and theft have been reported at several stations.
- A recent death occurred at Thirumayilai station due to poor facilities (shut toilets).
Background & context
The Chennai MRTS project has faced decades of delays. It aims to provide fast and efficient travel within the city, but operational and civic issues persist.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The full MRTS service from Beach to Velachery was launched in November 2007.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I: Urbanization, Social Issues (Safety and Security), GS Paper II: Governance (Public Services).