Chennai Metro Work Hit by Labour Shortage on Koyambedu - CTC Stretch
Construction work on the Koyambedu - Chennai Trade Centre stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II has slowed down due to a shortage of labour, raising concerns over meeting the June deadline.
The 12-km stretch, part of Corridor 5 (Red Line), is being developed by Chennai Metro Rail Limited and is currently in its final stages. While overall project completion stands at around 75%, finishing works such as station entry and exit points are facing delays.
Officials stated that these final tasks are labour-intensive and have been impacted by a sharp drop in workforce availability. At present, only around 400 workers are available against the required 800, affecting progress across multiple stations.
The shortage is mainly due to migrant workers returning to eastern India for the West Bengal Assembly elections, a recurring challenge that impacts infrastructure projects nationwide. Workforce levels are expected to stabilize by mid-May.
A total of eight stations including Koyambedu, Virugambakkam, Ramapuram, and Chennai Trade Centre have been affected by the slowdown. However, work on four double-decker stations is progressing as scheduled due to better labour availability.
Despite the delay in finishing works, core construction activities such as viaduct building and track laying remain on track, supported by a stable workforce.
The Koyambedu–Chennai Trade Centre corridor is a key part of Chennai Metro’s expansion, designed to improve connectivity and reduce congestion across major urban routes.
