Spanning 47 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, Corridor 5 is the longest in the phase II network.
| Photo Credit: M. VEDHAN
As part of the work to create an underground network for the upcoming phase II project, Chennai Metro Rail will begin by mid-December tunnelling in the city’s north-western parts to link Kolathur with Srinivasa Nagar.
Areas such as Retteri, Kolathur, Srinivasa Nagar, and Villivakkam constitute Corridor 5 of the 118.9-km phase II project.
Spanning 47 kilometres from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, Corridor 5 is the longest in the phase II network.
Though Corridor 5’s short underground network (5.8 km) faced delays from the beginning as the tender was initially cancelled, the work is now under way.
According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), this stretch saw some change of plans in construction early this year. Since residents of a specific neighbourhood protested against the proposed underground construction, the preparatory work was delayed. Then, the CMRL changed the construction sequence.
Two stages
Officials decided to execute tunnelling in two stages — first Kolathur ramp to Kolathur station, and then, Kolathur station to Srinivasa Nagar. The tunnel boring machine began the first stage in February this year, and completed 246 metres by August. The second stage will start in the second week of December, officials said.
Tunnelling between Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar, which was scheduled to start in September, has been delayed.
“The machines will require about seven months to cover the distance of 1,000 metres from Kolathur to Srinivasa Nagar. The first machine will reach Srinivasa Nagar by July 2026, and the second one will follow in another couple of weeks,” an official said.
The initial 600-m stretch comprises decomposed rock, interbedded with clay, and the next 400-m stretch is made of grade IV rock strata, he further said.
Published – November 10, 2025 12:00 am IST
