Tunneling on the 63,246-cr Phase-II routes is beginning by CMRL.

As part of Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II project, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has started tunnelling operations in Madhavaram. A total of 63,246 crore was invested in the three routes that make up Chennai Metro Phase II: Corridor 3 from Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 km), Corridor 4 from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass (26.1 km), and Corridor 5 from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (47 km).

First up is the underground section between Kellys and Madhavaram. Already lowered into the construction site is the first tunnel boring machine (TBM), which arrived from China more than two months ago.

On the Venugopal Nagar – Kellys segment of line-3, two 6.61m TBM machines made by Terratec in China will be used to construct twin tunnels that are around 9 km long. In order to build an underground section, one TBM is being used in the initial tunnelling operation at Madhavaram and is drilling in the direction of Kellys.

The second TBM will then be deployed on the corridor, and the contractor gives a gap of a few weeks between deploying the two TBMs. Operating with a space of 100m or more between the two TBMs is considered better. The TBM at Madhavaram will take months to reach Kellys; the length of time will primarily depend on the geological conditions.

Two more TBMs will eventually start operating between Kellys and Taramani. Corridor 3’s 45.81 km from Madhavaram to SIPCOT and Corridor 4’s 26 km from Light House to Poonamallee will each have about 26.7 km of underground travel. Corridor 5 extends up to 47 km between Madhavaram and Shollinganallur by a further 5.8 km subterranean stretch.

23 TBMs will be needed for the Phase II project; the additional machinery is anticipated to arrive soon, after which the underground work will progressively extend to other areas of the city. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has embarked on the ambitious ₹63,246 crore Phase II expansion project, aiming to enhance urban mobility across the city. This phase encompasses three new corridors:

1. Corridor 3: Madhavaram to SIPCOT
2. Corridor 4: Light House to Poonamallee
3. Corridor 5: Madhavaram to Sholinganallur

Collectively, these corridors will add approximately 116.1 kilometers to Chennai’s metro network, featuring both elevated and underground sections.

Initiation of Tunneling Operations

The tunneling operations for Phase II commenced in February 2023. A significant milestone was achieved with the deployment of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Kaveri at Greenways Road Station on Corridor 3, marking the beginning of underground construction activities. This event underscored CMRL’s commitment to expanding the city’s metro infrastructure.

Progress and Milestones

As of August 2024, substantial progress has been made:

• Corridor 3: Tunneling is actively progressing in sections such as Greenways Road to Mandaveli, Chetpet, and Royapettah. To date, 14 kilometers of the planned 43 kilometers of tunneling have been completed. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• Corridor 4: Approximately 4 kilometers of tunneling work have been finalized, contributing to the connectivity between Light House and Poonamallee. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• Corridor 5: Preparatory activities are underway, with tunneling operations expected to commence shortly.

In total, 23 TBMs have been deployed for Phase II. Notably, nine of these machines have successfully completed their assigned tunneling tasks, reflecting the project’s steady advancement.

Challenges and Future Outlook

The project has encountered challenges, including delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns. Despite these setbacks, CMRL remains steadfast in its objective to complete the Phase II expansion. The anticipated completion timeline extends to 2030, at which point Chennai’s metro network will encompass approximately 173 kilometers, significantly enhancing the city’s public transportation landscape.

The successful execution of Phase II is poised to transform urban transit in Chennai, offering residents and visitors a more efficient and comprehens.

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