Chennai Metro Phase 2: TBM Kurinji Completes First Breakthrough at Kolathur Station on Line 5

The Chennai Metro Rail project announced a high achievement this week that the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Kurinji made its very first breakthrough at the North Shaft of Kolathur Station under Corridor 5 in Package C5-UG06.

This corridor is an ambitious expansion measuring 118.9 km, which is included in Phase 2 and runs 47 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, touching several key residential and commercial hubs. TBM Kurinji started its maiden tunneling drive on 20 February 2025 from the Kolathur Ramp towards Kolathur Station, successfully completing a bored tunnel length of 246 metres.

Starting from Corridor-5, which stretches underground in the 5.8 km corridor, offers a five-station, two-ramp arrangement under this scheme. The stations are being built at Kolathur Junction, Srinivasa Nagar, Villivakkam (near suburban station), Villivakkam Bus Terminus, and Villivakkam MTH Road.

The contract for Package C5-UG06 was awarded in 2023 to Tata Projects Ltd. at a value of ₹1,817.54 crore. The agreement with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) was formally signed on October 13, 2023. This site’s work scope includes the construction of dual bored tunnels, underground stations with entry and exit facilities, ventilation shafts, plumbing, architectural finishes, and signage. The project is being financially supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Officials highlighted that this is the first breakthrough in Corridor 5 under Package C5-UG06, underscoring the pace of tunneling progress in Phase 2. Work on the twin tunnels from Kolathur Junction Retrieval Shaft to Villivakkam MTH Road Launching Shaft is also advancing steadily.

Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro ranks among the largest urban infrastructure projects taking place in India: with the intent of alleviating traffic congestion and providing sustainable means of mobility for the city’s fast growing population, Corridor 5 is seen as a major game changer by linking improved accessibility to business districts, IT corridors, and transport hubs between northern and southern neighbourhoods.CMRL officials described the breakthrough by TBM Kurinji as a crucial step towards delivering a modern, efficient, and safe transit system for Chennai. With more breakthroughs expected in the coming months, Phase 2 is set to redefine the city’s urban mobility landscape.