CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is expanding the city’s metro rail network under Phase II after completing Phase I and Phase I Extension Corridors.
With the increasing ridership in Corridors 1 and 2, CMRL is now venturing into an extensive infrastructure development project encompassing three additional corridors of the metro rail, totaling 116.1 km in length. This expansion initiative is being financed by various multinational funding agencies, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and New Development Bank (NDB).
The Phase II project comprises three distinct corridors:
- Corridor 3: This alignment spans a total length of 45.4 km, stretching from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot. It traverses the north-to-south direction of Chennai and features 28 underground stations and 19 elevated stations.
- Corridor 4: Spanning 26.1 km, this corridor is an east-west alignment linking the beachfront from Light House station to the Depot at Poonamallee. It includes 9 underground stations and 18 elevated stations.
- Corridor 5: Starting at Madhavaram Milk Colony, this corridor links various residential and commercial developments of the city, passing through Koyambedu, Porur, and Alandur, and culminating at Shollinganallur. It covers a total length of 44.6 km and features 6 underground stations and 39 elevated stations.
The construction of the initial 9 km underground section of Corridor 3, extending from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Kellys, is currently underway by Tata Projects Limited.
The TBM, named Nilgiri (S96), embarked on its tunnel drive on October 13, 2022, from Madhavaram Milk Colony Station to Madavaram High Road. The inauguration of this drive was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. M.K.Stalin. Covering a tunnel length of 1.4 km, TBM Nilgiri achieved a significant breakthrough a Madhavaram High Road on August 7, 2023.
During the breakthrough event, dignitaries including Additional Chief Secretary for Special Initiatives of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. Ramesh Chand Meena, I.A.S, CMRL Directors Thiru. T. Archunan and Thiru. S. Ashok Kumar, Tata Project Vice President Thiru. Ramen Kapil, and other officials and staff from CMRL, Tata Projects, and General Consultants were in attendance. This achievement marks a crucial milestone in Chennai’s metro rail network expansion, enhancing connectivity and transportation options for the city’s residents.
