Officials say the cracks are not a safety threat now and measures are being taken to ensure the durability of the structures in the long run.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Chennai Metro Rail’s underground network has developed micro cracks in a few locations and now an audit will be carried out in the phase I and phase I extension network.
These cracks have predominantly occurred only on stretches where only one contractor had carried out the work.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), these cracks are not a safety threat now and they are taking measures to ensure the durability of the structures in the long run so that it doesn’t pose a risk in future.
“This is not a critical issue now. We have identified the existence of micro cracks early on and hence, the issue will be rectified in a year’s time. First, we are going to hire a consultant now, who will carry out a detailed structural audit of the underground stretches such as Shenoy Nagar to Thirumangalam, Egmore to Nehru Park, Washermanpet to Tondiarpet, Government Estate to Chennai Central,” an official said.
Quite a few cracks have developed only between Shenoy Nagar and Thirumangalam and Government Estate and Chennai Central, sources said. These four stretches will be audited shortly and officials noted that the remaining stretches don’t have any issue.
Sources said, the cracks have appeared due to poor workmanship of the contractor who executed the underground network construction in these stretches. The consultant will do a comprehensive mapping of vulnerable areas, recommend various methods to repair the structures and chalk out a plan for future maintenance of the underground network.
The firm chosen will deploy specialised equipment like high-speed 3D laser scanner, high resolution cameras to locate defects and do non-destructive testing like ground penetrating radar, ultrasonic pulse velocity tester to examine the internal state of the structures. The consultant will map cracks that are wider than 0.2 mm, chipping of concrete, corrosion of steel bars and other such issues and will also have to give the root cause of these problems.
Published – November 06, 2025 05:39 am IST
