Chennai Metro Phase 2 achieves first tunnel breakthrough at Kolathur
Chennai Metro Rail has marked a significant milestone in its Phase 2 expansion, with a tunnel boring machine achieving its first breakthrough at Kolathur Station. The achievement strengthens the city’s ambitions to build sustainable, eco-friendly, and equitable mobility infrastructure, while reducing dependence on road transport and fossil fuels.The breakthrough was recorded on 21 August when the tunnel boring machine, named “Kurinji,” completed a 246-metre drive from Kolathur Ramp to Kolathur Station North Shaft.
This progress comes despite the project team having to navigate complex engineering challenges, including steep gradients, limited overburden, and heavy vehicular traffic along the Inner Ring Road.Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro stretches over 118.9 kilometres, with a mix of elevated and underground corridors designed to serve rapidly growing residential and industrial zones. Corridor 5, where this latest breakthrough was achieved, includes a 5.8-kilometre underground stretch with five stations and two ramps. The corridor is expected to significantly ease congestion in some of the city’s busiest stretches, while providing faster and more equitable access to public transport for communities often underserved by current mobility networks.
Officials associated with the project noted that the tunnelling work is being carried out using advanced engineering technologies designed to ensure both safety and sustainability. With funding support from international development agencies, including JICA, the project aims to set new benchmarks for eco-conscious infrastructure in India. By prioritising mass transit over private vehicle usage, the metro expansion aligns with the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, cutting down air pollution, and moving closer to zero net carbon urban growth.Experts emphasise that this milestone is more than just an engineering success; it also signals progress towards a reimagined urban future. Efficient metro systems reduce dependency on road-based transport, encourage modal shift, and support gender-neutral and inclusive urban planning by improving accessibility for women, the elderly, and differently-abled commuters.
For Chennai, a city grappling with rising traffic congestion and increasing vehicular emissions, the timely execution of Phase 2 has far-reaching implications. By integrating last-mile connectivity and ensuring affordability, the metro promises not just faster travel but also more equitable and climate-conscious urban growth.While the tunnelling breakthrough is only the first step in a long construction journey, it marks a crucial turning point in Phase 2. If executed on schedule, the project could transform how Chennai travels, setting the stage for a greener, more resilient, and socially inclusive city.
