Chennai Metro Rail Limited Completes Lighthouse–Thirumayilai Tunnel Work Under Phase 2 Project
The second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited project has achieved a major milestone, with tunnel boring work between Lighthouse and Thirumayilai stations successfully completed on Friday.
26.1 km Corridor from Marina to Poonamallee
Under Phase 2, Corridor 4 spans 26.1 km from Marina Beach to Poonamallee Bypass Road. The tunnelling works for this stretch began in February, deploying two advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) named “Kazhugu” and “Flamingo.”
1,985-Metre Challenging Tunnel Section
The completed stretch covers 1,985 metres between Lighthouse and Thirumayilai. The tunnelling process passed beneath several key landmarks, including:
- Chennai Lighthouse
- All India Radio station
- Embassy of Russia in Chennai
- Santhome Basilica
- Buckingham Canal
Engineers encountered hard rock formations and gas pipelines during excavation, making the operation technically complex. Additionally, two parallel tunnels had to be constructed in close proximity, increasing the engineering challenges.
Next Phase: Thirumayilai to Boat Club
Following the completion of this segment, tunnel boring machines will now proceed with excavation from Thirumayilai towards Boat Club, marking the next phase of underground construction.
The Phase 2 Metro expansion is expected to significantly improve connectivity across Chennai, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance urban mobility.
