Chennai Metro’s ambitious phase 2 expansion is set to make significant progress as tunnelling work between Kolathur and Villivakkam is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks. According to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) named ‘Kurinji’ has already been lowered at the site, and operations are expected to commence soon.
The Phase II project, costing Rs. 63,246 crore, comprises three key corridors:
Corridor 3: Madhavaram to SIPCOT
Corridor 4: Light House to Poonamallee
Corridor 5: Madhavaram to Sholinganallur
While corridors 3 and 4 have seen steady progress, work on the underground stretch of corridor 5 has faced delays of over a year. However, with tunnelling set to start at Kolathur, the project is finally gaining momentum.
Corridor 5 begins as an elevated stretch from Madhavaram to Retteri before transitioning underground at Kolathur Junction. From there, the metro line will run beneath the city until Villivakkam MTH Road, after which it will emerge above