Chennai metro phase 2 hits key milestone with TBM Pelican's launch

A significant milestone has been achieved with the successful lowering of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) S-1075B, affectionately known as Pelican, at the Panagal Park Crossover launching Shaft. Pelican has been assigned the monumental task of tunneling an 1100-meter underground up-line tunnel that will connect Panagal Park Crossover to Kodambakkam, marking its inaugural assignment. Pelican, previously known as TBM Krishna-3, was employed by TATA-CEC JV for Package UGC-04 on Mumbai Metro's Aqua Line. After undergoing refurbishment, it successfully passed the Factory Assessment Tests (FAT) in August 2023. The contract for this undertaking was awarded by CMRL to ITD Cem in January 2024, encompassing the Underground Package UG-01. The combined value of the contracts is Rs 37.4324 billion, with a deadline to complete the project within 48 months. With the recent award of the Rs 18.1754 billion contract to TATA Projects for constructing five underground stations in Corridor-05 of Chennai Metro Phase:02, CMRL has achieved a 100% completion milestone for the award of civil and track contracts for the Phase 02 project. This phase entails a 116.1 Km metro network across three corridors. Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Project envisions a 118.9 km Network spanning three corridors: Corridor 3 (Madhavaram to SIPCOT - 45.8 Km), Corridor 4 (Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass - 26.1 Km), and Corridor 5 (Madhavaram to Sholinganallur - 47 Km). The project is slated for completion by the end of 2026.