Chennai Metro: TBM Adyar Breaks Through

26 Feb 2025 CW Team

The 116.1 km Phase 2 project aims to improve connectivity across Chennai, with Line 3 spanning 45.8 km and 49 stations—20 elevated and 29 underground.

A Key Milestone for Chennai Metro TBM Adyar, a 100m-long Herrenknecht earth pressure balance (EPB) machine, began its assignment at Greenways Road Station in April 2023. Over 22 months, it navigated complex geological conditions, including constructing a 300m tunnel under the Adyar River, before breaking through at Adyar Junction.

L&T has deployed eight TBMs for twin tunnel construction under Package TU-02, which involves building 24 km of tunnels.

Project Background & Scope L&T secured Package TU-02 from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) in May 2021 for Rs. 23.85 billion ($286 million), with a 42-month deadline. The contract covers:

Twin tunnel construction between Kellys and Taramani Road Junction Diaphragm walls and entry/exit structures for Chetpet, Royapettah Government Hospital, and Thiruvanmiyur stations Partial diaphragm wall construction at Greenways Road Station Chennai Metro’s Progress on Line 3 With TBM Adyar’s breakthrough, 10 tunnel breakthroughs have been completed on Line 3. Other notable breakthroughs include:

Siruvani (DZ1040) – Sterling Road (703m) – August 2024 Kaveri (S-1327A) – Adyar Junction (1,228m) – September 2024 Palar (DZ1041) – Sterling Road (700m) – October 2024

Pushing Forward As Chennai Metro Phase 2 progresses, each breakthrough brings the city closer to a seamless urban transit system. A CMRL official noted, “These milestones reflect the dedication of our teams in overcoming challenging tunneling conditions to enhance Chennai’s metro connectivity.”

With more breakthroughs expected in the coming months, Chennai Metro continues to shape the city's urban transport landscape.

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) tunnel boring machine (TBM) Adyar (S-1326A) has achieved its first breakthrough at Adyar Junction for Package TU-02 on Chennai Metro Phase 2’s Line 3. This milestone marks the fourth breakthrough in the 12 km tunnel stretch between Kellys and Taramani Road Junction stations. The 116.1 km Phase 2 project aims to improve connectivity across Chennai, with Line 3 spanning 45.8 km and 49 stations—20 elevated and 29 underground. A Key Milestone for Chennai Metro TBM Adyar, a 100m-long Herrenknecht earth pressure balance (EPB) machine, began its assignment at Greenways Road Station in April 2023. Over 22 months, it navigated complex geological conditions, including constructing a 300m tunnel under the Adyar River, before breaking through at Adyar Junction. L&T has deployed eight TBMs for twin tunnel construction under Package TU-02, which involves building 24 km of tunnels. Project Background & Scope L&T secured Package TU-02 from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) in May 2021 for Rs. 23.85 billion ($286 million), with a 42-month deadline. The contract covers: Twin tunnel construction between Kellys and Taramani Road Junction Diaphragm walls and entry/exit structures for Chetpet, Royapettah Government Hospital, and Thiruvanmiyur stations Partial diaphragm wall construction at Greenways Road Station Chennai Metro’s Progress on Line 3 With TBM Adyar’s breakthrough, 10 tunnel breakthroughs have been completed on Line 3. Other notable breakthroughs include: Siruvani (DZ1040) – Sterling Road (703m) – August 2024 Kaveri (S-1327A) – Adyar Junction (1,228m) – September 2024 Palar (DZ1041) – Sterling Road (700m) – October 2024 Pushing Forward As Chennai Metro Phase 2 progresses, each breakthrough brings the city closer to a seamless urban transit system. A CMRL official noted, “These milestones reflect the dedication of our teams in overcoming challenging tunneling conditions to enhance Chennai’s metro connectivity.” With more breakthroughs expected in the coming months, Chennai Metro continues to shape the city's urban transport landscape.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

DMRC revives plan for Dwarka–Gurgaon Metro corridor

Nearly a decade after it was shelved, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is reconsidering a long-discussed plan to extend the Metro from Dwarka to Gurgaon.The proposed 12-km corridor would run from Yashobhoomi station in Dwarka Sector-25, on the Airport Express Line, to IFFCO Chowk along the Delhi–Jaipur Expressway. Planned stations include Bharthal, Bijwasan, Carterpuri, and Tau Devi Lal Park in Sector 23. An interchange is expected with the Gurugram Metro corridor at Sector 23.If implemented, the extension would provide direct metro access from Dwarka to key commercial hubs including ..

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

Ola, Uber, Rapido get nod for Mumbai bike taxi services

The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has granted provisional licences to Ola, Uber, and Rapido to operate bike taxi services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The move follows the implementation of the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules 2025.As per STA’s approval, the minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 15 for the first 1.5 km, with an additional Rs 10.27 per km thereafter. The licences are valid for one month, during which operators must apply for permanent permits by fulfilling all regulatory conditions.Smart-Ride’s application was rejected for failing to meet the prescribed norms. Of..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

Adani wins Kedarnath ropeway project to cut trek to 36 minutes

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) has secured the contract to build a 12.9-km ropeway connecting Sonprayag with Kedarnath, a project expected to transform the pilgrimage experience. Awarded by National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), the project will be executed under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.Currently, pilgrims undertake a gruelling nine-hour trek to Kedarnath. The ropeway will reduce this journey to just 36 minutes and can transport 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, serving the nearly 20 lakh devotees who visit annually.The Rs 25,0..