Chennai Metro Begins Tunneling for Corridor 5 with TBM ‘Kurinji’
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has launched its first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Kurinji’ for Corridor 5 at the Kolathur ramp. This corridor spans 47 km from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur, covering 5 underground and 39 elevated stations.
As per CMRL, four TBMs named Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, and Neithal will be used for tunneling. TBM Kurinji will bore a 246-metre tunnel from Kolathur ramp to Kolathur station and is expected to reach its destination by June 2025. It will later be reused for tunneling towards Srinivasa Nagar (1.06 km). Meanwhile, TBM Mullai is expected to arrive by March to tunnel 603 metres from Villivakkam Railway Station to Villivakkam Bus Terminus.
The 7.8 km underground stretch from Kolathur to Nathamuni is being executed by Tata Projects, and the remaining two TBMs will be deployed based on site readiness. Chennai Metro’s Phase 2 expansion covers 118.9 km, including Corridor 4 between Poonamallee and Porur Junction, aiming to enhance city-wide connectivity.
