CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): The Chennai Metro Rail Limited’s (CMRL) Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Kurinji emerged at Srinivasa Nagar on November 13th, completing the length of 1.08 kilometres. To reach Srinivasa Nagar North Shaft, the TBM took 351 days after starting its tunnel drive from Kolathur station on November 27, 2025.
Such a long time was needed, since TBM Kurinji had to cut through difficult terrain involving various geological conditions and had to drill through a sharp curve of 230-metre radius. The TBM also passed beneath or near more than 70 borewells and open wells in a densely populated residential area, successfully completing the challenging tunnelling operation.
Tata Projects is undertaking the boring construction, and is supported with the funding by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The CMRL Managing Director Ashish Chatterjee along with T. Archunan, director of projects, and senior executives from Tata Projects and the project’s general consultants were present to celebrate this milestone.
Chennai Metro Phase II Corridor 5
The Chennai Metro Corridor 5 will connect North Chennai with the southern IT corridor and has the following key features:
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| Particulars | Details |
| Total Distance | 47.0 km |
| Route | Madhavaram to Sholinganallur |
| Type of Corridor | Elevated/Underground |
| Length of Elevated Section | 41.2 km |
| Length of Underground Section | 5.8 km |
| Total Stations | 48 stations |
| No. of Elevated Stations | 42 stations |
| No. of Underground Stations | 06 stations |
The Red Line (Corridor 5) is the longest among the Chennai Metro Phase II corridors. It connects with both Phase I lines, the suburban rail network and the MRTS, and shares a double-decker viaduct with Line 4 between Alwarthirunagar and Alapakkam.
There are 4 TBMs, namely Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham and Neithal, that are employed for the digging activities across the underground stretch of the Red Line. With the recent tunnel breakthrough, it nudges towards reaching the last milestones. Once the tunnel operation finishes, CMRL can proceed with subsequent construction activities required to complete the corridor.
Alstom’s Partnership with Chennai Metro
Alstom has been collaborating with CMRL to consolidate the Chennai metro network and its expansion since 2010. It has manufactured 36 driverless Metropolis trainsets for Corridor 4 of Chennai Metro Phase II, which have already entered passenger service.
Recently, for Phase 2, 96 driverless Metropolis metro cars have commenced manufacturing at Sri City after the successful delivery of 108 cars for corridor 4.
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