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Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is expected to complete the underground tunnelling work between Royapettah and Thousand Lights next month, an important step in the construction of Chennai Metro's Phase II project. The work is being carried out as part of Corridor 3, which will connect Madhavaram Milk Colony in the north with SIPCOT on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), covering about 45.8 km.
Chennai Metro Tunnelling
The tunnelling between Royapettah and Thousand Lights is being carried out using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). These machines dig underground and simultaneously help create the tunnel structure. Once the work is completed, the underground section will connect important parts of central Chennai and provide smoother Metro travel through some of the city's busiest areas.
Corridor 3 is an important part of Phase II because it will connect northern Chennai with several central and southern areas. The route will pass through places such as Perambur, Purasaiwalkam, Chetpet, Nungambakkam, Royapettah and Thousand Lights before continuing towards the IT corridor on OMR. The corridor will ultimately reach SIPCOT, an important employment and technology hub.
The construction of the Royapettah Metro station has also involved challenging work because it is located in a busy part of the city. Officials have had to manage traffic and carry out construction carefully around existing buildings and roads. Earlier surveys were conducted to check whether nearby structures could be affected by the tunnelling work.
The completion of this tunnel will bring the Metro project closer to becoming operational in this part of Chennai. Phase II is being constructed as a 116-km-plus network and will be opened in stages. The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between residential areas, commercial centres and the OMR IT corridor.