The Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) has initiated tunneling work for a 700-meter stretch from Chetpet to Sterling Road as part of the Phase 2 project. The tunnel-boring machine (TBM), named “Siruvani,” began this endeavor and will traverse beneath the Cooum River for a short section before reaching Sterling Road. Soon, the tunneling underneath the Adyar River is also expected to commence.
The Chetpet-Sterling Road stretch is anticipated to be completed in six to eight months. CMRL officials conducted soil tests at regular intervals to assess the geology and ensure the suitability of the TBM for the prevailing conditions. This marks a significant milestone in expanding Chennai’s metro rail network.