TBM “Marutham” Breakthrough at Villivakkam Bus Terminus Metro Station

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is in the process of implementing the much-anticipated Phase 2 project across Chennai City with multiple corridors. Corridor 5, with a total length of 47km. Four TBMs namely Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham and Neithal are being used for tunnelling activities in the 5.01km UG Section which has a twin tunnel length of 3.94km.

CMRL has reached a significant milestone in its Phase 2 expansion with the successful breakthrough of Tunnel Boring Machine “Marutham” at Villivakkam Bus Terminus Metro Station North Shaft. The tunnel drive, which commenced on 24.04.2026 from Villivakkam Railway metro station towards Villivakkam Bus Terminus Metro Station, has covered a bored tunnel length of 601 m.

The main challenges faced during this drive included doing tunnel drive below 5 railway tracks at Villivakkam Railway station and the requirement for ground protection in a heavily residential region. Despite these constraints, the breakthrough was completed without any disruption to the general public and ongoing traffic.

Thiru. T. Archunan, IRSE, Director Projects of CMRL, Thiru. T. Livingstone Eliazer, CGM (PP&D), Thiru. S. Ashok Kumar, CGM (T&EC), Thiru. K. Gurusamy, CGM (EC / UGC), Thiru. Karthikeyan M, JGM (UGC), along with officials from Tata Projects Ltd. including Thiru. K. Ramesh (Project Director), Thiru. Natthapong Katkaew (Project Manager), and General Consultant representatives Thiru. Tony Burchell (Team Leader) & Thiru. Udayakumar A (Chief Resident Engineer), and other senior officials and team members from CMRL, Tata Projects Ltd., and the General Consultants were present during the event.

The underground section of Corridor 5 includes 5 stations, 2 ramps and a total tunnel length of 7.88 km (single tunnel length) executed by Tata Projects Ltd. with funding support from JICA.

This achievement marks the completion of first tunnel breakthrough crossing 5 railway tracks in Corridor 5 (Package C5UG06) & subsequent tunnel completion of 2.67km in corridor 5 which reflects CMRL’s continued commitment to safe, sustainable, and efficient urban transport for Chennai’s growing population.