CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Project progressed as for the first time in India, a TBM breakthrough and a TBM launch have occurred at the same station- Kolathur Metro Station. This development was recorded under Package UG-06 of Chennai Metro Phase 2’s Corridor 5. The Corridor 5 of Chennai Metro Phase 2 spans 47 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.
Thiru. T. Archunan, IRSE, Director Projects of CMRL, Thiru. T. Livingstone Eliazer, CGM (PP&D), Thiru. Karthikeyan M, JGM, along with officials from Tata Projects Ltd. including Thiru. K. Ramesh (Project Director), Thiru. Natthapong Katkaew (Project Manager), and General Consultant representatives Thiru. Tony Burchell (Team Leader) & Thiru. Udayakumar A (Chief Resident Engineer), and other senior officials and team members from CMRL, Tata Projects Ltd., and the General Consultants were present during the event.
TBM S97 “Mullai,” successfully achieved a breakthrough from Kolathur Ramp to Kolathur Station. The tunnel drive, which began on 23rd May 2025, covered a bored tunnel length of 246 meters. Key challenges during this operation included a very low overburden of just 1.8 meters, a steep gradient of -3.8%, and the need for extensive ground protection in a densely trafficked area.
Simultaneously, – TBM S120 “Kurinji” was launched from Kolathur Station towards Srinivasa Nagar. This tunnel drive, spanning 1060 meters between Kolathur and Srinivasa Nagar stations, passes through Grade-4 and Grade-5 rocky strata and includes a sharp 230-meter curve.
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