Chennai, Aug 17:
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has commenced tunnelling between Perambur Barracks Road and Pattalam as part of the 118.9-km Phase II project, marking another major step in the construction of Corridor 3 between Madhavaram and Siruseri SIPCOT.
The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) deployed on the stretch 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 running above the other.
The tunnel will reach a maximum depth of around 30 metres at certain points. The TBM will pass through clayey soil and weathered rock 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.
CMRL officials expect the first tunnelling drive on the stretch to be completed in about six months.
Corridor 3, once operational, is expected to improve connectivity across north and south Chennai, linking areas including Moolakadai, Sembiyam, Thirumayilai, Adyar, Taramani, Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur and Siruseri SIPCOT.
The tunnelling work is part of Chennai Metro’s ambitious Phase II network, which spans 118.9 km and is intended to significantly expand the city’s rapid-transit connectivity.