Chennai Metro Line 4: TBM Peacock Breakthrough at Kodambakkam Ramp

Chennai Metro is making waves as Phase 2 of the project progresses with TBM Peacock achieving a breakthrough at the Kodambakkam Ramp. This milestone was reached under Package C4-UG02 of Line 4 of Chennai Metro Phase 2, which spans 26.8km from Light House to Poonamallee Bypass and includes 12 underground stations and 18 elevated stations.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Peacock started its tunnelling operations on May 2, 2024, from the Panagal Park Crossover towards the Kodambakkam Ramp Retrieval Shaft. It completed an impressive 2,047 meters drive, the longest single tunnel drive in Chennai Phase 2.

In January 2022, ITD Cementation secured Package C4-UG02 of Chennai Metro Phase 2 from Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL) at Rs 1846.86 crore. The scope of CMRL’s work includes the construction of underground stations at Boat Club, Nandanam, Panagal Park, Kodambakkam, Kodambakkam Flyover, and an underground crossover at Panagal Park Station, among other elements.

The underground section of Corridor 4, stretching from Light House Station to Kodambakkam Flyover, is being executed by ITD Cementation India Ltd. The project faced challenges such as navigating beneath a densely built-up urban environment, passing beneath residential buildings and an operational railway line, and constructing beneath the Kodambakkam flyover.

Despite these challenges, the tunnelling operation was a success, achieving the longest drive of Chennai Metro Phase 2 without disrupting public life or ongoing surface traffic. Chennai Metro Rail Limited is diligently working on implementing the much-anticipated Phase 2 project across the city, marking significant progress with three corridors covering a total length of 118.9 km.