Chennai Metro Phase II: TBM Kurinji Completes 1.08 km Underground Tunnel from Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar

Chennai Metro Rail Phase II has achieved another major milestone with tunnel boring machine (TBM) Kurinji successfully completing a 1.08 km underground tunnel from Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar Metro Station. The breakthrough took place on Friday, marking significant progress in the construction of Corridor 5, which will connect Madhavaram in North Chennai with Sholinganallur in South Chennai.

The successful completion of this tunnel is an important step towards strengthening Chennai`s public transportation network and improving connectivity between residential neighbourhoods and the southern IT corridor.

TBM Kurinji Completes Challenging Underground Tunnel Work

During the 1.08 km tunnelling operation, TBM Kurinji encountered several engineering challenges. One of the major difficulties was navigating a sharp curve with a radius of just 230 metres.

The machine also passed through different geological conditions, including soil, weathered rock and hard rock. These varying ground conditions required careful execution throughout the tunnelling process.

Another significant challenge was the presence of more than 70 borewells and open wells along the tunnel alignment. The work was carried out beneath a densely populated residential area, requiring additional attention to ensure the safety of nearby buildings and infrastructure.

According to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the tunnel breakthrough was completed without disrupting public movement or traffic in the surrounding areas.

Tata Projects Executes Tunnelling Work with JICA Support

The underground tunnelling work was executed by Tata Projects with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The tunnel drive began on November 27 last year from Kolathur Metro Station. After several months of continuous construction, TBM Kurinji successfully reached Srinivasa Nagar Metro Station, completing the 1.08 km stretch.

The breakthrough represents an important achievement for the engineering teams involved in the Chennai Metro Phase II construction project.

Chennai Metro Corridor 5: Project Details

Corridor 5 is one of the important routes under the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II expansion. Spanning 47 km, the corridor will connect Madhavaram in North Chennai with Sholinganallur in the southern part of the city.

The project includes both elevated and underground sections to improve metro connectivity across several neighbourhoods.

The key details of Corridor 5 are:

Total Corridor Length: 47 km

Elevated Section: 41.2 km

Underground Section: 5.8 km

Underground Stations: Five

Underground Ramps: Two

Recently Completed Tunnel: 1.08 km

The underground section includes five metro stations and two ramps, forming an important part of the overall corridor development.

Better Connectivity Between North and South Chennai

Once operational, Chennai Metro Corridor 5 is expected to provide improved connectivity between North Chennai, central neighbourhoods and the southern IT corridor.

The Madhavaram–Sholinganallur route will benefit commuters travelling across different parts of the city, particularly those heading towards major residential and commercial locations.

The completion of the Kolathur–Srinivasa Nagar tunnel highlights the steady progress of Chennai Metro Phase II. With further underground and elevated construction work progressing, Corridor 5 will play an important role in expanding Chennai`s metro network and providing commuters with a more convenient public transport option.