CMRL completes tunnelling for one-km stretch in Chennai Phase 2 project
The tunnel linking Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar was completed after nearly a year of drilling through weathered and hard rocks.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has completed the tunnelling work for a one-km stretch linking Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar, according to The Hindu.
This section is part of the 47-km Corridor 5 within the upcoming 118.9-km Phase 2 project. Tunnelling is currently underway for underground sections of three corridors, including Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Poonamallee to Light House, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.
CMRL officials said the tunnel boring machine encountered several challenges, including boring through a steep curve with a 230 m radius and crossing 70 borewells and open wells. Much of the tunnelling for this stretch was conducted below residential buildings.
The underground section of Corridor 5, which spans 5.8 km, faced previous delays. A tender was cancelled a few years ago after bidders submitted exorbitant quotes, and preparatory work was briefly affected after some residents opposed the construction plan.
Once Corridor 5 is completed in a few years, residents in areas such as Madhavaram, Retteri, Kolathur, Srinivasa Nagar, and Villivakkam could access direct train services to Madipakkam, Kilkattalai, Medavakkam, Kovilambakkam, Perumbakkam, and Sholinganallur.