The Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System a state-owned subsidiary of Indian Railways, is a metropolitan elevated railway line operated by Southern Railway. It is the first elevated railway line in India. Although it is segregated from the Chennai Suburban Railway, they both are operated by Southern Railway and are integrated in a wider rapid transit network. Built at a cost of 11,710 million, the line runs within the city limits from Chennai Beach to Velachery, covering a distance of 19.34 km (12.02 mi) with 17 stations, with an average daily ridership of 76,800 passengers. Connecting the central business area of old Madras with the IT corridor, the section has a potential capacity of 425,000 passengers a day.