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Chennai Metro Rail has started a new stage of underground construction for its Phase II project. On Friday, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Peacock began digging a tunnel from Panagal Park towards Boat Club. This work is part of the plan to expand the city's Metro network and improve public transport.
Why Was TBM in Use Earlier?
Earlier, the same TBM was used to dig tunnels between Panagal Park and the Kodambakkam ramp. After completing that section, the machine was taken apart at Kodambakkam and later reassembled at Panagal Park. Once the reassembly was completed, the TBM was launched again to continue its next task.
TBM's Usage in the New Phase
In this phase, the Peacock TBM will dig a tunnel covering a distance of about 1.89 kilometres between Panagal Park and Boat Club. This stretch is considered important because it connects key parts of the city and will support smoother Metro operations once the project is completed.
Challenges to Face
A major challenge in this work is that the TBM will pass underneath the already operational tunnels of the Phase I Chennai Metro network. This crossing will take place near the Nandanam Metro Station. Engineers are carefully planning and monitoring the process to ensure safety and avoid any disturbance to the existing Metro services.
Tunnelling Work
According to Chennai Metro Rail officials, the tunnelling work on this stretch is expected to take time due to technical complexities. If everything goes as planned, the Peacock TBM is likely to reach Boat Club by November 2026. Once completed, this underground section will play a key role in strengthening Chennai's Metro system under Phase II and offer better connectivity for commuters across the city.
