Chennai Metro Begins Tunneling in Royapettah for Phase II Expansion!
Posted on: 22/Jul/2024 11:29:40 AM
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has initiated tunneling operations in Royapettah, with the tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Bhavani’ beginning its journey towards R.K. Salai. This marks a significant milestone in the Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II project. The project includes the development of an underground station at Royapettah, part of corridor 3 (Madhavaram to SIPCOT), at a cost of ₹250 crore. The station will be situated at a depth of 21.5 meters, stretching 150 meters in length and 22 meters in width.
Four TBMs will be launched from the Royapettah site: two heading towards R.K. Salai and two towards Thousand Lights. The TBM ‘Bhavani’ is expected to take approximately seven months to cover the 910-meter stretch to R.K. Salai, encountering a mix of clay and weathered rock. Another TBM will commence its journey towards R.K. Salai in the coming weeks.
Corridor 3, primarily featuring an underground network, will connect key areas such as Madhavaram, Ayanavaram, Purasawalkam, Nungambakkam, Thousand Lights, Royapettah, and Adyar. It is anticipated to become fully operational within four years. At Adyar, TBMs that started from Greenways Road are progressing towards the Adyar Metro station, although they have encountered slow progress due to rock formations.
The Phase II Project also includes work on the Alapakkam Metro station, part of corridor 4 (Light House to Poonamallee), where a double-decker construction is underway. This 3.75 km stretch includes stations at Alwarthirunagar, Valasarawakkam, Karambakkam, and Alapakkam. Additionally, the Poonamallee Depot, being constructed at a cost of ₹187 crore, will serve as a repair and maintenance facility for 56 six-coach driverless trains.
