MRTS stations. Other issues The MRTS has been criticised for environmental issues during its construction phase, due to the fact that much of the alignment was built along the banks of the Buckingham Canal. Although the canal itself has been in decline due to fly tipping and sewage the Chennai River Restoration Trust has planned to revitalise and redevelop it. However, a 7.1-km section will remain impassable due to the presence of the MRTS. Another environmental impact caused by the erection of MRTS pillars in the canal is the blocking of the natural flow of storm water during rains. This has led to severe stagnation of rainwater in the neighbourhoods adjoining the canal. Future plans Extension to St. Thomas Mount Work on the , three-station Phase II extension from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount began in 2008, with an original estimated completion of December 2010. The cost of the extension was estimated at 4,957 million. However, the line has been repeatedly postponed due to multiple issues during its construction process. and has now escalated to 7,340.1 million. This is because of a change in design due to acquisition issues. History of construction of extension to St. Thomas Mount Despite the delays, the extension from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount is currently underway. Track laying is progressing on the first stretch from Velachery. Of the remaining 1.5 km, the last from St. Thomas Mount is being constructed simultaneously with Chennai Metro. Litigation had previously prevented the work from being carried out in the last portion of track laying and the work had been stalled for nearly two years. However, a court ruling was passed in favour of the Chennai MRTS. Now Southern Railway has decided that instead of waiting indefinitely for the land acquisition to finish the link up to Mount, it will start running trains to the stations that are completed July 2011 Construction of the stations begins. July 2012 According to the Railway Budget 2012, the section would be commissioned by December 2013. October 2012 Land acquisition by CMDA has resumed after the Madras High court vacated a stay and construction work is expected to resume once the acquired land is transferred to the Railways. Land acquisition on the 5-km stretch resumed to be completed in 45 days. April 2013 expected to be completed by February 2013 but legal wrangles continue to obstruct the development July 2013 The extension