+
Chennai Metro Phase-II Records Ninth TBM Breakthrough
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Chennai Metro Phase-II Records Ninth TBM Breakthrough

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has recorded the ninth tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough under Phase-II after TBM Kaveri reached Kilpauk Medical College Station. The machine completed a 685-metre underground drive from Chetpet as part of the downline tunnelling works for Corridor 3.

Larsen & Toubro executed the downline drive, which was completed in 252 days. During the operation, the TBM negotiated several technically challenging sections, including five live Southern Railway tracks, the Chetpet Eco Park lake and buildings located within the Kilpauk Medical College campus.

The machine passed beneath the railway tracks with an approximate overburden of 18 metres. The sections below the lake and college buildings had overburden ranging from 21 to 26 metres, requiring the tunnelling operation to maintain controlled progress through varying underground conditions.

The work was also carried out near existing Phase-I Metro tunnels. A minimum clearance of 6.1 metres was maintained between the Phase-I and Phase-II tunnel networks during the drive. CMRL said the operation was completed without any major ground settlement or adverse impact on existing infrastructure.

The tunnelling operation involved ten cutterhead interventions. The Chetpet-Kilpauk Medical College section used two TBMs, with Tamarabharani assigned to the upline and Kaveri working on the downline. Tamarabharani achieved its breakthrough on 26 November 2025, completing the corresponding tunnel drive for the section.

Kaveri’s latest breakthrough marks the ninth TBM breakthrough under the TU02 contract for Corridor 3 of Chennai Metro Phase-II. The milestone advances tunnelling works on a section that passes beneath active railway infrastructure, a lake and institutional buildings before reaching the Kilpauk Medical College Station area.

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has recorded the ninth tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough under Phase-II after TBM Kaveri reached Kilpauk Medical College Station. The machine completed a 685-metre underground drive from Chetpet as part of the downline tunnelling works for Corridor 3. Larsen & Toubro executed the downline drive, which was completed in 252 days. During the operation, the TBM negotiated several technically challenging sections, including five live Southern Railway tracks, the Chetpet Eco Park lake and buildings located within the Kilpauk Medical College campus. The machine passed beneath the railway tracks with an approximate overburden of 18 metres. The sections below the lake and college buildings had overburden ranging from 21 to 26 metres, requiring the tunnelling operation to maintain controlled progress through varying underground conditions. The work was also carried out near existing Phase-I Metro tunnels. A minimum clearance of 6.1 metres was maintained between the Phase-I and Phase-II tunnel networks during the drive. CMRL said the operation was completed without any major ground settlement or adverse impact on existing infrastructure. The tunnelling operation involved ten cutterhead interventions. The Chetpet-Kilpauk Medical College section used two TBMs, with Tamarabharani assigned to the upline and Kaveri working on the downline. Tamarabharani achieved its breakthrough on 26 November 2025, completing the corresponding tunnel drive for the section. Kaveri’s latest breakthrough marks the ninth TBM breakthrough under the TU02 contract for Corridor 3 of Chennai Metro Phase-II. The milestone advances tunnelling works on a section that passes beneath active railway infrastructure, a lake and institutional buildings before reaching the Kilpauk Medical College Station area.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CAFE-III Gives Auto Industry Investment Clarity

The government’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms have provided the automobile industry with a clearer framework for technology investments, according to industry representatives. The framework seeks to balance environmental objectives with flexibility for manufacturers while encouraging the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework would give automakers greater predictability to plan investments and accelerate innovation. He said the regulation established annual targ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Mines Ministry to Auction Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea

The Ministry of Mines will launch an auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday, seeking to unlock India’s offshore mineral potential and strengthen long-term mineral resource security. The blocks will be offered under a composite licence, which permits exploration and development activities in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. The ministry said the auction was intended to encourage systematic exploration, attract investment and promote the use of advanced technologies for offshore mineral exploration and development. The initiative is also aimed..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

India Invites Global Mining Community to India Mining Week 2026

India has invited the global mining community to participate in India Mining Week 2026, seeking international collaboration, expertise and investment to support the development of the country’s mining and minerals sector. The event is scheduled to be held from November 15 to 17, 2026, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. Coal Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar extended the invitation while addressing India Mining: Global Connect, an international outreach interaction involving representatives from diplomatic missions in 19 countries. The meeting focused on opportunities for greater international par..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code