CMRL Begins Tunnelling Between Perambur Barracks Road and Pattalam for Chennai Metro Phase II

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has commenced tunnelling work between Perambur Barracks Road and Pattalam as part of Chennai’s ambitious 118.9-km Phase II Metro Rail project.

The two stations are part of Corridor 3, which will connect Madhavaram with Siruseri SIPCOT. Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity between north and south Chennai, making travel easier for thousands of daily commuters.

The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which recently began operations, has already completed nearly 600 metres of tunnelling. Due to space constraints near Pattalam, the underground section is being constructed as a stacked tunnel, with one Metro line positioned above the other.

According to CMRL officials, the tunnel could reach a maximum depth of around 30 metres along this stretch. The TBM will pass through clayey soil and weathered rock, travelling beneath residential and commercial buildings along Perambur Barracks Road before turning into Strahans Road and reaching Pattalam.

The Perambur Barracks Road Metro station is being constructed near the Mosque, while the Pattalam station is coming up near Mahalakshmi Theatre on Strahans Road.

Once Corridor 3 becomes operational, commuters will benefit from improved connectivity to areas such as Moolakadai, Sembiyam, Thirumayilai, Adyar, Taramani, Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur and Siruseri SIPCOT.

CMRL officials expect the first tunnelling drive on this stretch to be completed within approximately six months, marking another key milestone in the development of Chennai Metro’s Phase II network.