Due to massive losses and lack of cooperation between the two administrations, the Southern Railway of Indian Railways (IR) has given its approval in principle for a much anticipated merger proposal of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System with Chennai Metro Rail. Southern Railway (SR) has approved the transfer of MRTS to CMRL in principle.

Due to conflicts between the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Southern Railway (SR) of the IR, the plan to integrate MRTS with Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) was put on hold after 2018 to build a new MRTS line to be constructed between Beach and Park Stations. That issue is unrelated to Metro's acquisition of MRTS.