Extension of MRTS services from Thiruvanmiyur upto Velachery atlast appears to be a reality with the preliminary inspection of the tracks completed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on July 5, 2007. The CRS has advised to make certain changes to the two elevated lines between Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery. These are expected to be completed in another 10 days time.

The CRS would give the final clearance after conducting the final inspection in 3rd week of July 2007. According to officials the services will be operational by July end

A visit to the Velachery Railway station this morning revealed that the station is massive and has several facilities viz., lift, public convenience and 4 big platforms. Compared to the stations between Thirumayilai and Thiruvanmiyur, the construction of stations viz Tharamani, Perungudi and Velachery appear to be fully complete.

While the Velachery Railway Station will cater to the residents of certain part of Velachery and nearby localities such as Madipakkam, Ullagaram-Puzhithivakkam, Pallikaranai etc., Perungudi Station will cater to the needs of the residents of Velachery in various colonies situated along the Taramani Road.

However the approach roads to the stations viz Perungudi and Velachery remain a matter of concern and requires urgent attention by the Railway authorities

The residents eagerly await the launch of the MRTS services since most of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses that they use for commuting to the heart of the city are overcrowded.

The poor patronage of the MRTS services is caused by a lack of bus services from main roads to some of the stations. The time taken to reach Beach station from Velachery by MRTS will be about 40 minutes and many would prefer this efficient mode of commuting.

The success of MRTS services now depend upon proper approach road to the stations and bus services from the main road to the Railway Stations which are located away from the main road.