Chennai Metro Phase-2 marked a major milestone as TBM Kalvarayan (S1331) achieved a breakthrough at Perambur Metro (South) shaft. This marks the 11th overall breakthrough and 7th for contractor Tata Projects under TU-01. The tunnelling operation, which navigated complex terrain under railway tracks and urban zones, was successfully completed.
Introduction:
In a major development for the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II project, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Kalvarayan (S1331) has successfully completed its tunnel drive and achieved a breakthrough at the Perambur Metro (South) shaft on 13th May 2025. This breakthrough is part of Contract TU-01 of Phase II/CP30/TU-01 and represents a vital milestone in Chennai’s underground metro construction.
Key Highlights:
- Breakthrough Date: 13th May 2025
- TBM Name: Kalvarayan (S1331)
- Length of Tunnel Drive: 867 meters
- Route: Ayanavaram Station to Perambur Metro (South) shaft (Up line)
- Breakthrough Number: 7th under TU-01, 11th in Phase-II overall
- Contractor: Tata Projects Limited
- Challenging Section: Under railway lines and dense neighborhoods
Scope of Chennai Metro Phase-II:
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is expecting a major infrastructure upgrade through Phase-II, which consists of three corridors spanning a total of 118.9 km. This development is being financed by several multi-national agencies including:
- Government of India (GoI)
- Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN)
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- New Development Bank (NDB)
Among the three corridors, Corridor 3, which goes from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Kellys, is going through underground tunnelling across a 9 km stretch. Tata Projects Limited has been assigned this work and has deployed seven TBMs to execute the complex underground works under this contract.
Details of TBM Kalvarayan’s Operation:
The TBM Kalvarayan (S1331) commenced its tunnelling operation from Ayanavaram Station and completed its 867-meter-long drive to the Perambur Metro (South) shaft, specifically for the “up line” section. This marks the seventh successful breakthrough carried out by Tata Projects under the TU-01 contract and the eleventh TBM breakthrough overall in Phase-2 of the Chennai Metro project.
Engineering Challenges Overcome:
- Tunnelling beneath live railway lines and platforms at the heavily trafficked Perambur Railway Station.
- Navigating densely populated urban areas and ensuring structural integrity and safety throughout.
- Addressing over 32 borewells along the tunnel alignment by providing alternative water sources, ensuring uninterrupted supply to the public.
- Maintaining minimal surface settlement, adhering to strict engineering tolerances.
This was made possible through continuous instrumentation and real-time monitoring throughout the tunnelling process. Safety and public comfort were prioritized at all stages of the operation.
Expert Coordination and Teamwork:
The breakthrough ceremony at the Perambur Metro (South) shaft was attended by officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), Tata Projects Limited (TPL) and General Consultants. The coordinated dedication of all stakeholders were key to successfully executing such a technically intensive project component.
Conclusion:
The breakthrough of TBM Kalvarayan at Perambur is another step forward in transforming Chennai’s urban transit landscape. With Phase-II steadily advancing, CMRL and its partners demonstrate engineering excellence and resilience in handling complex infrastructure challenges, reinforcing confidence in the project’s timely and successful execution.
Source: CMRL | Image Credit: CMRL
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