CHENNAI (Metro Rail & Steel): In a significant development for the Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2 project, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) named ‘Podhigai’ accomplished a significant breakthrough by successfully completing a 1.4-kilometer tunnel beneath Madhavaram High Road. This accomplishment marks a pivotal step towards the expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail network in its ambitious Phase 2.
The tunnel boring process has been underway for the past 10 months in this particular stretch, with ‘Podhigai’ being deployed at the Madhavaram Milk Colony station on January 18. This remarkable achievement is part of the larger plan to construct twin tunnels covering a 9-kilometer section from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Kellys within Corridor-3.
Covering an extensive 45.4-kilometer stretch from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot, Corridor-3 encompasses 28 underground stations and 19 elevated stations. The segment from Porur to Poonamallee on Corridor-4 is expected to be the first to open in 2024, offering commuters an enhanced and efficient mode of transportation.
The Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, consisting of three new lines, was initially approved by the Tamil Nadu government in 2019, with an estimated cost of Rs. 69,180 crores. Since then, cost revisions have been made to Rs. 61,843 crores by optimizing station sizes, while awaiting approval from the Central Government.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 2 was meticulously prepared by RITES and finalized in December 2018. Of the 116.1 kilometers planned for Phase 2, priority construction will focus on 52.01 kilometers in Line-3, spanning from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, and Line-5, stretching from Madhavaram to CMBT. These sections will be partially funded through an ODA loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Tendering for this extensive, mostly underground phase commenced in January 2020, setting in motion the implementation of this transformative project. Chennai Metro Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed and opened in phases, with operations commencing from 2026 onwards. Upon its full completion, estimated to be in 2030, the Chennai metro network will expand to approximately 173 kilometers.
