Chennai Metro Begins Tunnel Work Near Khader Nawaz Khan Road for Phase II

Groundwork Underway on Busy Chennai Stretch

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has begun construction of a tunnel near Khader Nawaz Khan Road. The work is part of the Phase II expansion and will connect the area to Sterling Road.

The tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been lowered into a shaft near the upscale commercial and residential neighbourhood. This stretch falls on the 26-km Madhavaram to Siruseri corridor, one of three lines planned under Phase II.

A 1.2-Kilometre Underground Link

The tunnel itself will run for about 1.2 kilometres. It will pass beneath some of the city's busiest roads, including Khader Nawaz Khan Road and its junctions.

CMRL officials said the alignment was chosen to minimise disruption to existing buildings and utilities. The agency has already completed soil testing and utility mapping in the area. The tunnel will provide a direct underground connection between the proposed stations at Khader Nawaz Khan Road and Sterling Road.

Traffic Diversions and Timelines

Commuters can expect traffic diversions on Khader Nawaz Khan Road and adjacent streets for the next several months. CMRL has erected barricades and signboards directing vehicles through alternative routes.

Residents in the area, including those in apartments along the road, have been notified about the construction schedule and potential noise during night-time boring activities. The agency has not yet confirmed the exact completion date for this specific tunnel segment, but Phase II of the Chennai Metro is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

Phase II: A Massive Expansion

The Phase II project adds three new corridors totalling 118.9 km to the Chennai Metro network. The Madhavaram to Siruseri corridor alone will have 50 stations, of which 19 will be underground.

Once operational, this corridor will connect north Chennai with the IT corridor in the south. The section near Khader Nawaz Khan Road is strategically important because it passes through a dense commercial zone with heavy foot traffic.

CMRL is also simultaneously working on the other two corridors: Lighthouse to Poonamallee and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur. The total cost of Phase II is estimated at over Rs 60,000 crore.

Work on the Sterling Road station and its approach tunnels is expected to pick up pace in the coming weeks. Officials are also finalising the design for the station entrances to blend with the neighborhood's character.

The tunnel boring near Khader Nawaz Khan Road marks a significant milestone for the project. It brings the city one step closer to a more connected public transport system. All eyes will now be on how quickly the TBM can cut through the city's hard granite soil without major delays.