Chennai Metro: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Thursday that the Chennai Metro Rail II service, connecting Poonamallee and Porur, will be inaugurated by the end of this year. During his visit to the Adyar Junction Metro Station, he inspected the tunnel boring machine that has been working on a significant stretch of the project.
The tunnel covers a total distance of 1.218 km, including a challenging 300-metre section that runs beneath the Adyar River. The Chief Minister highlighted the progress made since the project was initially launched during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Stalin acknowledged the delays faced under the previous administration but noted that his government has revitalised the project, primarily using state funds. He shared his appreciation on the social media platform X, stating, “The Centre has approved our request for this project, and I have instructed the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to complete the remaining works on schedule.”
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He expressed confidence that the new metro service will greatly enhance urban transport in Chennai once completed. The Chief Minister also reiterated his appeal to the Union Government to approve metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai.
The Chennai Metro project was initially approved in 2007, with work commencing in June 2009. Currently, two lines of the first phase, extending 54.1 km, are fully operational, serving over 310,000 passengers daily.
Phase II of the Chennai Metro is in progress, spanning three corridors with a total length of 118.9 km and 128 stations, at an estimated cost of Rs 63,246 crore. About 23 tunnel boring machines are being utilised, with 42.6 km of tunnelling ongoing in this phase.
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In Corridor 3, tunnelling began in February 2023, with each tunnel stretching 1,228 metres. The tunnel passes beneath the Adyar River for 300 metres, reaching depths of 40 to 50 feet.
During this process, the tunnel boring machine named Adyar started operations in June 2023, successfully navigating diverse soil conditions and urban challenges. The machine has also passed beneath various landmarks, including petrol stations, MGR Janaki College and a hospital.
State officials, including Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru and Forests Minister K Ponmudy, were present during the Chief Minister’s inspection, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this significant urban transport initiative.