Chennai Metro Rail to operate from the end of next year
Posted on: 24/Feb/2014 2:46:16 PM
Mr. Ramanathan, Chennai Metro rail Director (Planning) informed that it is planned to run Chennai Metro rail system from the end of next year (2015).
Press reporters were taken to the tunneling work in progress between Shenoy Nagar and Anna Nagar.
14 km of tunneling work has been completed. Tunneling work is in progress for another 10 m.
The tunneling work in 2 areas, between Nehru Park & Egmore and between Shenoy Nagar to Anna Nagar Tower is fully completed. Construction of the stations is in progress. The plan is to start full operation of the Metro rail by the end of next year. Tunnelling work is challenging and lots of difficulties are to be overcome.
The tunneling between Nehru Park and Egmore was planned to be completed in 6 months. However, because of the rocky soil, this could be completed in 12 months. The route between Washermanpet and Central Station has many heritage buildings. Hence, tunneling was undertaken. Because of the high density population in North Chennai, extra care was taken for safety during tunneling. Still, cracks opened up in some buildings which were repaired. The tunneling between Washermanpet and Chennai High Court is completed.
10,000 workers are deployed. Work is in progress with due care for the safety of the public and the workers.
People need not worry about any chemicals employed during the tunnelling .
Features of tunnelling work:
- 12 Large tunnel boring machines are employed.
- Companies from China, France, Hong Kong, and other countries are engaged in the work.
- The tunnel lies 20 metres under the ground.
- Drilling is undertaken at 17 metres below the road level.
- Conveyor belts are used to remove the debris materials after tunnelling
- As soon as the drilling is done for a 6.2 metre diameter, concrete layers are laid immediately to avoid sand-slide.
- The water and drainage pipes will not be affected.
- 5-6 metres drilling is done per day.
- Work is done only for 15 dyas in a month. During the break, maintenance of the boring equipment is undertaken.
- 54 metres tunnelling work, completed in a single day in Mannadi, is a world record.
Safety Features:
- A telephone at every 100metres
- A fire extinguisher at every 100 metres
- The metro train will stop immediately in the event of any fire accident.
- Emergency exits every 250 metres
- In case of any emergency, passengers can get down and exit through the emergency exits.
- They can get into the next station through the next tunnel.
- The tunnel and train movement will not be affected by earthquakes other natural disasters.
- Surveillance CCTV cameras are installed throughout.
The stations (Underground)
| Route # 1 | Route # 2 | |
| Washermanpet to Airport | Central to St. Thomas Mount | |
| Stations | Washermanpet | Chennai Central |
| Mannadi | Egmore | |
| High Court | Nehru Park | |
| Central | Kilpauk Medical College | |
| Government Garden | Paschaiyapp’s College | |
| L I C | Shenoy Nagar | |
| Gemini | Anna Nagar (East) | |
| Teynampet | Anna Nagar Tower | |
| Chamiers Road | Thirumangalam | |
| Saidapet |
Stations (Elevated Corridor):
| Route # 1 | Route # 2 | |
| Washermanpet to Airport | Central to St. Thomas Mount | |
| Stations | Small Mount | Koyambedu |
| Guindy | Koyambedu Bus Terminus | |
| Alandur | Arumbakkam | |
| O T A | Vaddapalani | |
| Meenambakkam | Ashk Nagar – K K Nagar | |
| Airport | SIDCO | |
| St. Thomas Mount |
