The railway authorities have conducted a thorough safety inspection of the 4.5km MRTS extension between Velachery and St Thomas Mount, which is set to start operations on March 10. The inspection was carried out by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), Janak Kumar Garg, on Thursday. The inspection team examined various aspects of the track structure, including the alignment, gradients, and riding quality. They also checked bridges, elevated structures, traction installations, signaling systems, and interlocking systems to ensure compliance with safety standards. To test the tracks’ performance, speed trial runs were conducted using a nine-car AC-EMU rake equipped with OMS-2000 track recording systems. The new stations at Puzhuthivakkam and Adambakkam were also inspected to ensure they meet safety requirements. The inspection team gave special attention to the interchange arrangements at St Thomas Mount, which integrates MRTS services with suburban railway services and metro rail, making it a major multi-modal transport hub. This thorough inspection is crucial in ensuring the safe operation of the new line, which has faced repeated delays due to land acquisition and coordination issues. The authorities have worked hard to complete the project, which was first proposed nearly two decades ago as part of MRTS Phase-II. With this safety inspection completed, the authorities can now confidently open the new line for public use.