CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Three months after the deployment of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Kaveri’, employed by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for tunnelling beneath the Adyar River. It has successfully crossed the riverbed and is very close to arriving at the Adyar Junction Metro station. TBM ‘Kaveri’ started its journey from Greenways Road and is slated to drill a distance of 1.2 km to reach the Adyar junction.
In the coming years, this tunnel will serve as a vital link for commuters travelling between Adyar and various other parts of the city via the Metro Rail system. As an integral part of corridor 3 of the Phase II Project, spanning from Madhavaram to SIPCOT, the tunnel represents a significant pace towards enhancing connectivity in Chennai.
The CMRL Phase II Project spans 116 kilometres and features stops at over 100 locations across the city. ‘Kaveri’ spearheads the initiative as the pioneering TBM to tunnel beneath a river. Nevertheless, this achievement isn’t unprecedented for CMRL, which has previously laid tunnels under the Cooum between Government Estate and Chennai Central Metro stations in the Phase I Project.
CMRL officials have emphasised the formidable challenges encountered during the tunnelling process, particularly beneath the Adyar River. The TBMs navigated through a combination of sandy and clayey soil conditions, showcasing the intricacies of the engineering efforts. In the stretch between Greenways Road and Adyar junction, CMRL intends to lay the track at a depth of approximately 18 meters, ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the infrastructure.
Simultaneously, the Adyar Junction Metro station’s construction activities are underway and expected to be completed within the next two years, facilitating seamless integration with the metro network.
Chennai Metro’s Phase II Corridor-3
The Chennai Metro’s Phase II Corridor-3 spans 45.4 km, connecting Madhavaram to SIPCOT. It comprises two sections: an underground line from Madhavaram to Taramani and an elevated stretch to SIPCOT. Construction progresses swiftly with 49 stations, including 20 elevated and 29 underground.
The 20 km stretch from Nehru Nagar to SIPCOT in Siruseri will likely be operational by 2027, easing commuting challenges and enhancing Chennai’s transport network.
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