PRETTY FROM HIGH UP: The MRTS - initially described as Chennai's flying train - has not been provided with completed facilities on its 20 km stretch. The train system was first proposed four decades ago as part of an area transport study. Photo: R.Ragu
GOING NOWHERE: The steps leading from the platforms are decrepit and dirty, like much of the premises. The virtually deserted station in Chintadripet also falls into a murky darkness at dusk. This scares away many prospective passengers. MTC buses do not connect the station, although that was promised by the State Government. Photo : M. Vedhan
NO MAN'S LAND? The MRTS station in Chintadripet, Chennai serves the new Tamil Nadu Assembly, but many of its facilities are crumbling. Many windows without glasses and shades on Saturday. Photo : M. Vedhan
NOBODY'S BABY: Although the MRTS system was built by the Centre, in a partnership with the Tamil Nadu government, neither is maintaining it to high standards. Garbage and betel stains on the platform, with a disused water point in the background. Photo: M. Vedhan
CRACKING UP: The overhead structures have loose cement work that threaten the vehicles parked underneath. This area is an allotted parking lot. On Friday, one such cement piece smashed the windscreen of a car. Photo: M. Vedhan
CAUSING LOSS: The cement concrete in the overhead structures of the MRTS are breaking up at some points. One cement piece fell on this car when a train rolled past, eyewitnesses said. The car belonging to a staffer of The Hindu was parked in a designated area with other vehicles. Photo : M. Vedhan
NOT ON THE RADAR: The dirty environs of the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station highlight the low priority of the project. The CMDA, which guides Chennai's development, said last year that the stations had to be made attractive and shuttle services provided. This has not happened, however, although the new Assembly building has opened 500 metres from Chintadripet station. Photo: Aishwarya Ramsundar
NO PILLAR OF STRENGTH: In this 2009 scene, which remains largely unchanged, a pillar at the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS Railway station bears the marks of neglect. The outgoing managing director of Chennai Metro Rail (a new facility now under construction), said MRTS was likely to be taken over by CMRL ultimately, and brought under a single authority for all elevated rail networks. Photo: Aishwarya Ramsundar
KEEP WALKING: The escalator signs at the Perungudi station of MRTS have been pasted over with newspapers, indicating that they were not functional. Although intended as a mass rapid transit system, the absence of shuttles, and integration with MTC buses have left this Chennai venture weakened. Photo: M.Karunakaran
WORLD CLASS? The Triplicane MRTS station precincts are used as an open toilet and and garbage dump, as this January 2010 picture shows. Questions are now being raised by consumer groups about Chennai's capacity to manage a modern transit rail system, the Metro, being built at high cost. Dirty approaches and lack of street walking space are preventing greater use of the MRTS, residents say. Will things change with a new Metro, for the MRTS and the suburban train system? Photo: M. Karunakaran.