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Work on Chennai Metro's new Phase-II underground tunnels has faced many delays, but the tunnel boring machine (TBM) is now expected to reach the Thirumayilai metro station on February 9 after a long struggle. The TBM had been digging the tunnel from the Light House side of the city to
Thirumayilai, part of the underground stretch of Metro Corridor-4 in Phase-II of the project.
Why did the Work Slow Down?
The work slowed down for several reasons. Building the tunnel shaft at Thirumayilai was hard because the soil was difficult, and some shops had to be cleared. At one point, tunnelling was temporarily stopped due to cracks appearing in a nearby school building, and workers also had to deal with a gas leak in the area, which slowed progress more than expected.
Chennai Metro Expansion
Once the TBM reaches Thirumayilai, it marks an important step forward for the Chennai Metro's expansion, which aims to improve connectivity across parts of the city that currently lack high-capacity urban rail. The Thirumayilai station itself is deep underground and will serve as an important stop and interchange once the tunnels and station are finished.
Chennai Metro Phase II Project Inclusion
The Metro Phase-II project includes several corridors that will significantly expand Chennai's metro line network, with many elevated and underground sections still under construction. Although work has been challenging in places like Thirumayilai, engineers and planners expect the overall project to continue progressing toward eventual opening dates over the coming years.
