Metro Tunnel Completed Between Light House, Thirumayilai

Chennai Metro Rail has successfully completed tunnelling work between Light House and Thirumayilai stations as part of its Phase II project. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), named ‘Eagle’, broke through at the Thirumayilai station on Monday, marking the end of this important underground stretch. The work took nearly two-and-a-half years to finish.

The newly completed tunnel is 1.98 km long. It is a small but important section of Corridor 4, which will connect Poonamallee to Light House. Once finished, this corridor will improve travel across the city and make commuting easier for thousands of passengers.

During the tunnelling process, the TBM travelled deep underground and passed beneath 151 buildings and landmarks. These include well-known places such as the Light House, All India Radio, the Russian Embassy, Dominic Savio School, Rosary Church, and St. Raphael’s School. Engineers had to be very careful to ensure that the buildings above were not damaged while the machine worked below.

Officials said the tunnelling was not easy. The TBM faced difficult geological conditions, including hard rock, loose soil, and mixed ground. These challenges slowed down the work at times and required special techniques and constant monitoring to maintain safety and stability.

Despite these difficulties, the team completed the work successfully. Chennai Metro Rail officials said the breakthrough is a major milestone for Phase II construction. It shows steady progress in expanding the city’s metro network.

When Corridor 4 becomes operational, it is expected to reduce traffic congestion and provide a faster, safer, and more comfortable mode of transport for commuters in Chennai.