Chennai metro rail commences tunnelling at Chetpet

The tunnel boring machine (TBM), affectionately named Siruvani, began tunnelling last week, covering the distance from Chetpet to Sterling Road. It will pass beneath the Cooum River for a short stretch before reaching Sterling Road. Officials anticipate that tunnelling beneath the Adyar River will commence in the coming weeks. While the Chetpet-to-Sterling Road tunnel presents its challenges, it is considered less complex than the Adyar tunnel. Siruvani will tunnel to a maximum depth of 21 metres, with some depth variations. The tunnel's depth below the Cooum River will be approximately 13 metres. Completion of the Chetpet-Sterling Road stretch is expected to take six to eight months. CMRL officials took meticulous measures by conducting soil tests every 25 metres to understand the geology, ensuring the selection of a suitable TBM for prevailing conditions. Tunnelling operations initially commenced in Madhavaram, with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) subsequently deployed at other locations such as Greenways Road and LightHouse. The Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2 project, with a budget of Rs 618.43 billion, encompasses a total length of 116 km and comprises three corridors: Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Light House to Poonamallee, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.