The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is set to resume the long-paused underground Metro Rail construction at Madras Tiruvallur High (MTH) Road in Villivakkam. The project had been on hold for over six months due to the need to divert an Overhead Transmission Tower (OHT) near Padi bridge. With inputs from the Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) workers are prepared to commence the diversion work, beginning with a 900-metre section.
The tender for corridor 5, awarded to TATA for Rs 1,817 crore, includes the construction of five underground stations from Kolathur Junction to Nadhamuni. Despite delays at MTH Road, other stations in Villivakkam have seen rapid progress.
In related news, CMRL’s innovative tunnel ventilation solution for phase II has been shortlisted for an award at the 20th international symposium on aerodynamics, ventilation, and fire in tunnels in Copenhagen. The study highlights space-saving and cost-reducing strategies in densely populated areas by optimizing ventilation system layouts and reducing the number of Tunnel Ventilation Fans (TVFs) from eight to two without compromising safety or functionality.