印度的大型隧道工程将在Madhavaram和Taramani之间的21公里开始。根据印度官方的报道，清奈地铁二期的隧道工程将于六月开始，将使用两台隧道掘进机。TBM将分两段进行隧道施工：从Madhavaram的Venugopal Nagar到Kellys延伸9公里，然后从Kellys到Taramani Road Junction延伸12公里。

Chennai Metro begins phase II

Large-scale tunnelling works in India are set to begin with a 21 km stretch between Madhavaram and Taramani.

According to The Hindu, tunnelling work for phase II of Chennai Metro will begin in June using two tunnel boring machines (TBMs).

The TBMs will carry out the tunnelling in two stretches: a 9 km stretch from Venugopal Nagar, Madhavaram to Kellys, followed by a 12 km stretch from Kellys to Taramani Road Junction.

The Hindu reported that, according to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials, the contractor will be finalised in approximately two months.

“After preliminary works, the tunnelling work will commence at various locations in the city,” an official said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will fund 52 km of phase II, including the 12 km stretch – meaning CMRL needed to obtain agency approval before releasing tenders.

“We recently got the go-ahead from JICA and hence called for the tenders. Now that the work will begin by the middle of this year, we hope to maintain speed and finish it at the earliest,” another official said.

The TBMs usually complete 6 to 10 m of tunnelling per day, although this may vary depending on soil conditions.

“We will make sure that there are no cracks in buildings or any other damage due to the tunnelling work.

“We have checked soil samples every 25 m so that we know how to handle the machines and operate accordingly without causing any damage,” a CMRL official said.

CMRL will call for tenders to build stations along the 21 km stretch in the coming weeks.