Chennai Metro Phase II Expansion Underway; Corridor 5 Construction Begins.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has officially commenced the expansion of the city’s metro network under Phase II, following the successful implementation of Phase I and its extension since June 2015. With rising ridership across Corridors 1 and 2, the new phase aims to enhance connectivity and ease urban commuting.

Phase II spans a total of 118.9 km across three corridors, backed by funding from multiple international agencies, including the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, New Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

As part of the expansion, work has begun on Corridor 5, which extends 47 km from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Shollinganallur, passing through key hubs like Koyambedu, Porur, and Alandur. The corridor features five underground stations and 39 elevated stations.

To execute the underground tunneling for Corridor 5, four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have been deployed, each named after distinct Tamil landscapes: Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, and Neithal.

The first TBM, Kurinji, was launched on Wednesday to excavate a 246-meter tunnel from Kolathur Ramp to Kolathur Station (upline), with completion expected by June 2025. It will then be retrieved and redeployed for a 1.06 km tunnel towards Srinivasa Nagar. The second TBM, Mullai, is set to arrive by March 2025 and will drill a 603-meter tunnel from Villivakkam Railway Station to Villivakkam Bus Terminus. The remaining TBMs will be launched as site preparations progress.

The underground section of Corridor 5, spanning 7.8 km with twin tunnels of 3.9 km each, is being constructed by Tata Projects Limited. The company is tasked with deploying all four TBMs to complete the tunneling works.

This expansion marks a significant step in Chennai’s metro development, aiming to bolster urban mobility and reduce congestion in key residential and commercial areas.

HBL