Chennai Metro’s Subterranean Leap Tunnelling Beneath Railway Tracks for Phase II Expansion

Chennai Metro Rail’s ambitious Phase II expansion project has taken a significant leap forward with the commencement of tunnelling activities beneath railway tracks in Perambur.

Over the course of nearly six days in March, commuters aboard express trains may have noticed a slight slowdown as Chennai Metro Rail engineers meticulously bored through the earth to create an underground passage. The decision to operate trains at reduced speeds near Perambur station was a precautionary measure undertaken by authorities to ensure the safety of both rail passengers and construction workers. Amidst the hum of machinery and the rumble of passing trains, a massive tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Kalvarayan embarked on its subterranean journey from Ayanavaram in April of the preceding year, gradually tunneling its way towards Perambur. The 857-meter-long tunnel, a feat of engineering prowess, was meticulously crafted to accommodate both Chennai Metro Rail and existing railway infrastructure. Once completed, residents of Perambur can anticipate convenient access to both rail and metro stations, ushering in a new era of seamless connectivity within the city.

This underground passage, forming part of Corridor 3 of the Phase II project, represents a crucial step towards expanding Chennai’s metro network. Corridor 3 spans from Madhavaram to SIPCOT, traversing through key locations such as Ayanavaram and Perambur. Concurrently, work is progressing on Corridors 4 and 5, which will further enhance Chennai’s metro connectivity from Light House to Poonamallee and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur respectively. The Phase II expansion project signifies Chennai Metro Rail’s commitment to providing efficient and sustainable urban transportation solutions for the city’s burgeoning population. By seamlessly integrating metro services with existing rail infrastructure, Chennai Metro Rail aims to alleviate congestion, reduce travel times, and enhance overall commuter experience. As tunnelling operations continue to unfold beneath Perambur’s railway tracks, Chennai Metro Rail remains steadfast in its mission to deliver a world-class metro system that caters to the evolving needs of Chennai’s residents and visitors alike. With each bore of the TBM, Chennai’s metro network inches closer to realizing its full potential as a modern, efficient, and indispensable mode of urban transportation.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they took numerous precautionary measures during the time when the TBM was crossing the railway track. “To ensure there were no settlements, cracks or any other issue affecting the station or the track, we had installed equipment like ground settlement and building settlement markers. We checked the reading every hour and shared them periodically with the railway officials. Also, railway officials informed us that the speed of goods or express passenger trains that pass through Perambur will be reduced to 20 kmph for a small stretch as well as an additional safety measure,” an official said. From 21 March to 26 March, nearly 25 trains that went past Perambur operated at 20 kmph between Vysarpadi and Perambur, an official of Southern Railways said. While one TBM has reached Perambur, another one will cross the tracks and reach the location in another four months.