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After a long delay, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) named 'Noyyal' is finally set to complete the tunnel between Greenways Road and Mandaveli by October as part of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II project. This section is a small underground part of Corridor 3, which runs for 45.8 km from
Madhavaram to SIPCOT via Mandaveli. 'Noyyal' started tunnelling in September 2023 from Greenways Road station to create a 750-metre tunnel toward Mandaveli, followed by another TBM named 'Vaigai'. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials had originally expected the tunnelling to be completed within six months, but several challenges caused delays.
Challenges Led to Delays
• One of the biggest problems was shifting utilities to build the diaphragm wall at Mandaveli station. An official explained that they had to move four large water and sewer pipelines to create the station structure.
• Two major water pipes, one 800 mm wide and the other one metre wide, had to be relocated.
• Additionally, two big sewer lines measuring 900 mm and 1.2 metres in diameter also had to be diverted. To manage the diversion, a pumping well had to be built, which became more complicated and time-consuming than expected.
• Since Mandaveli is a busy junction, relocating these utilities was even harder. The last part of the diaphragm wall is now being completed. Officials also mentioned that the contractor responsible for building the station caused further delays, but work has now picked up pace.
Because of these issues, the TBM has been left idle outside the station for some time. The breakthrough at Mandaveli is now expected within two to three weeks. If all goes as planned, the Metro line from Greenways Road to Thirumayilai via Mandaveli is expected to open for the public by 2028.
