Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has notched a significant engineering achievement in its ambitious Phase 2 expansion, successfully completing a critical tunnel drive beneath one of the city's most congested areas.
A Complex Underground Journey Concludes
The tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Melagiri achieved its breakthrough at the Perambur metro (south) shaft on Corridor-3. This formidable machine navigated a challenging 861-meter-long underground path to reach its destination. The operation was executed by Tata Projects Limited as part of the TU-01 contract, representing the eighth TBM breakthrough completed by the contractor for CMRL.
Navigating a Maze of Challenges
The Ayanavaram–Perambur stretch is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding sections of the entire 118.9-kilometer Phase 2 network. Engineers faced a triple threat of obstacles during the tunneling process.
Firstly, the TBM had to carefully pass beneath active railway tracks and the platforms of the busy Perambur railway station, requiring precise control to avoid any disruption to surface operations.
Secondly, the route took the machine directly under densely populated residential neighbourhoods, adding a layer of complexity to ensure minimal vibration and disturbance.
Finally, CMRL officials revealed that the alignment was complicated by the presence of more than 32 borewells along the stretch, each posing a potential risk that required meticulous planning and real-time monitoring to navigate safely.
Accelerating Phase 2 Progress
This successful breakthrough marks a pivotal moment for the city's metro expansion. With the completion of the Melagiri TBM's drive, CMRL has now executed a total of 19 TBM breakthroughs across the sprawling Phase 2 project. Each breakthrough brings the network closer to reality, moving from isolated sections towards a fully connected system.
The progress on Corridor-3, which will enhance north-south connectivity across Chennai, is particularly crucial for decongesting surface transport and providing a reliable rapid transit alternative to thousands of daily commuters.
