CHENNAI: (pix available)
Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) crossed a major engineering milestone on Wednesday with the successful retrieval of tunnel boring machine (TBM) “Peacock” at the Kodambakkam Ramp near Meenakshi College — completing the longest underground drive of its Phase 2 expansion without public disruption.
The 2.047-km bored tunnel is part of Corridor 4, a 26.8 km stretch that will eventually link Light House to Poonamallee Bypass. The TBM, designated DL-1074, was launched in May 2024 from Panagal Park Crossover and has since traversed densely built residential areas, passing under more than 190 buildings — including over 50 ageing structures — and two churches, while boring parallel to an active railway line before cutting across multiple tracks.
Despite the engineering complexity and urban sensitivities, CMRL officials confirmed that no damage or disturbance was reported during the entire excavation. The breakthrough marks the completion of the single longest tunnel in Phase 2, and highlights CMRL’s ability to execute underground infrastructure in live, high-density city zones.
CMRL Director (Projects) T Archunan, alongside senior officials from contractor ITD Cementation India Ltd and project consultants, attended the retrieval event at Arcot Road. Corridor 4 comprises both underground and elevated sections, including 12 underground stations and 18 elevated ones, and is being funded through multilateral development banks, a release stated.
ITD Cementation is executing the 10.03-km underground stretch from Light House to Kodambakkam Flyover using four tunnel boring machines. The Peacock TBM’s breakthrough comes at a time when CMRL is accelerating work across multiple corridors of its 118.9-km Phase 2 network.
No comments:
Post a Comment