CMRL to Buy 3 Tunnel Boring Machines for Rs 180 Crore to Fix Delays

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will procure three additional tunnel boring machines (TBM) at an estimated cost of ₹180 crore to address ongoing delays in tunneling operations for its Phase II expansion network. The new machines will be deployed on three key stretches in the city, covering Thiruvanmiyur to Taramani, Thousand Lights to Anna Flyover, and Mandaiveli to Thirumayilai.

These three stretches fall under Corridor 3 of the Phase II project. Corridor 3 originates at Madhavaram and terminates at SIPCOT, covering a total distance of 45.8 km. It holds the distinction of having the maximum length of underground network in the entire 118.9-km Phase II project, with underground sections accounting for 26.7 km.

To complete the underground network for Corridor 3, a total of 43.04 km of tunneling must be executed across both the upline and downline tracks. However, progress on the stretch has faced significant hurdles. According to CMRL data, workers have completed only 19.68 km of tunneling so far, leaving 23.36 km of tunneling still pending.

A total of 23 TBMs are currently deployed across the overall Phase II project network. Officials explained that the need for procuring additional TBMs arose due to inordinate delays in tunneling operations caused by several factors. Key reasons contributing to the work slowdown include the cancellation of previously floated tenders for building underground stations, delays in completing station shaft construction, and the complex relocation of various types of underground utilities.

CMRL officials stated that the three newly ordered TBMs will arrive in the city one after another in the coming months. An official noted that based on the current pace of work, three additional machines should meet their requirements, though the agency will purchase a fourth machine if further needs arise.

Despite the past delays, officials maintained that work is currently progressing well and expect tunneling to pick up pace once the additional TBMs are fully deployed. They also noted that a few TBMs that had previously been stuck underground due to delays in constructing station shafts have now successfully made breakthroughs.