Chennai Metro Rail Limited has completed another tunnel boring milestone under its Phase 2 project, with Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) “Servarayan” achieving breakthrough at the Moolakadai Metro North shaft.
The breakthrough was completed on the down line between Madhavaram High Road Station and Moolakadai Station, covering a bored tunnel length of 824.6 metres.
The work forms part of Chennai Metro’s Phase 2 project, which is being implemented across the city through three corridors with a total planned length of 118.9 Km.
According to a statement by CMRL on 19 May, tunnel construction for the first 9 Km underground section of Corridor 3, from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Kellys, is being executed by Tata Projects Limited.
The contractor has mobilised seven tunnel boring machines for the tunnelling works.
TBM Servarayan, also identified as S 99, began its drive from Madhavaram High Road Station towards Moolakadai Station before completing the breakthrough at the Moolakadai North shaft.
This marks the 9th TBM breakthrough carried out by Tata Projects Limited under the TU-01 contract.
Overall, Chennai Metro Rail Limited has now completed 23 TBM breakthroughs under the Phase 2 project.
CMRL said the tunnel section between Madhavaram High Road and Moolakadai was among the more complex stretches under the TU-01 contract.
The drive involved major tunnelling challenges, including the TBM passing beneath the Buckingham Canal and under a live traffic road. The alignment also had more than 14 borewells, for which alternate water sources were provided to avoid inconvenience to the public.
The entire tunnel drive was managed within the allowable minimum settlement limits, CMRL said, adding that extensive instrumentation and monitoring were carried out throughout the drive.
Officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited, the General Consultant and Tata Projects were present during the breakthrough event.
Read also : IRCTC launches revamped Golden Chariot luxury train for 2026-27 tourist season with promotional offers
