Chennai Metro Phase 2 Corridor 4 TBM Work Begins from Light House

Post by : Meena Rani

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has officially commenced the expansion of the city’s metro network under Phase 2, following the successful completion of Phase 1 and its extensions since June 2015. The expansion is aimed at addressing rising ridership in Corridors 1 and 2 and enhancing the city’s urban transport infrastructure.

Phase 2: Three New Corridors

The Phase 2 project involves the development of three new metro corridors spanning a total of 116.1 kilometers, featuring 119 stations. This ambitious plan is set to further transform Chennai’s public transportation landscape, providing faster, safer, and more convenient travel across key areas of the city.

Details of Corridor 4

Phase 2 Corridor 4, extending 26.1 kilometers, will follow an east-west alignment, connecting the beachfront at Light House Station to Poonamallee Depot. It will include nine underground stations and 18 elevated stations, with the underground section stretching 10 kilometers.

The underground alignment will traverse historic and modern neighborhoods, including Mylapore, Kutchery Road, Alwarpet, Bharatidasan, Boat Club, Panagal Park, and Kodambakkam. This corridor will significantly improve connectivity between Chennai’s coastal and central zones.

Tunnel Boring Machine Deployment

Corridor 4 construction will deploy four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). ITD Cementation India Limited has been awarded the underground packages C4-UG 01 and C4-UG 02, covering station and tunnel construction.

• At Light House Station: TBMs Flamingo (S1352A) and Eagle (S1073B)

• At Panagal Park: TBMs Peacock (S1074B) and Pelican (S1075B)

First TBM Launched

The first tunnel construction on Corridor 4 began on 1st September 2023, covering an initial stretch of 1.96 kilometers from Light House to Thirumayilai Metro. The TBM Flamingo has been deployed in the down line from the south shaft.

The launch ceremony was led by Thiru T. Archunan, Director of Projects at CMRL, in the presence of senior CMRL officials, General Consultants from M/s AEON Consortium, and ITD Cementation representatives.

Technical Aspects of TBM Flamingo

TBM Flamingo will tunnel at a maximum depth of 30 meters, starting from Light House Station towards Kutchery Road. It is expected to reach Thirumayilai Station within approximately one year and will complete its journey at the retrieval shaft of Boat Club Station in May 2026.

Impact on Chennai Metro and Commuters

The addition of Corridor 4, along with the broader Phase 2 network, is expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and accommodate the growing urban population. The project also reflects Chennai’s commitment to modernizing public transportation with world-class infrastructure and advanced tunneling technology.

Chennai Metro Phase 2, Corridor 4, TBM Flamingo, Light House Station