Chennai Metro completes key construction milestone on OMR stretch for Corridor-3 Phase-2

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has achieved a major construction milestone in its ambitious Phase-2 expansion by completing all piling works and U-girder casting for the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) section of Corridor-3. The achievement marks steady progress on one of the most technically demanding stretches of the metro network, which will eventually connect Madhavaram with SIPCOT, significantly improving public transport access to Chennai’s IT corridor.

The OMR stretch has long been considered one of the most challenging portions of the project because of heavy traffic movement, dense urban development and difficult geological conditions. Despite these challenges, CMRL has successfully completed the installation of 3,066 foundation piles between Nehru Nagar and Sholinganallur, laying the groundwork for the elevated metro viaduct.

Another important milestone is the completion of casting all 582 precast prestressed U-girders required for the elevated corridor. Manufactured at CMRL’s 35-acre casting yard in Semmancheri, these structural components will support both the metro viaduct and station infrastructure. The use of precast technology is expected to accelerate construction while reducing disruption to traffic during installation.

Construction teams adopted stage-wise execution across busy junctions such as Thoraipakkam and Sholinganallur to minimise inconvenience to commuters. The project also required specialised engineering methods to integrate metro structures with existing flyovers while ensuring uninterrupted movement on one of Chennai’s busiest arterial roads.

Engineers also encountered hard rock formations in sections around Sholinganallur, requiring advanced drilling techniques and specialised equipment to achieve the required pile depth. Overcoming these geological challenges has been viewed as one of the project’s most significant engineering accomplishments.

With the completion of these foundational activities, Corridor-3 now moves into the superstructure phase, bringing the project a step closer to becoming operational. Once completed, the metro corridor is expected to ease congestion along OMR, improve connectivity for thousands of daily commuters, and support the continued growth of Chennai’s technology and business districts. The progress also reinforces CMRL’s commitment to delivering one of India’s largest urban mobility projects through modern engineering practices and efficient construction planning.