Terratec has reached significant milestones in tunnelling on the ongoing Chennai Metro Phase II project, advancing multiple underground sections of the network. These achievements highlight the strong collaboration between Terratec, Tata Projects Limited, and Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) as the city’s metro system expands.
At the Kolathur site, one of Terratec’s Earth Pressure Balance machines (EPBM) is excavating a tunnel from Kolathur Ramp to Kolathur Station. The machine has maintained steady progress despite challenging conditions, including a very shallow overburden of just 1.8 metres, a steep gradient of -3.8 per cent, and tunnelling beneath a busy urban corridor, requiring extensive ground‑protection measures.
Another key milestone was achieved with the launch of a new TBM at Kolathur Station for the drive towards Srinivasa Nagar. This section features mixed Grade‑4/5 rock and includes a sharp 230‑metre curve, demonstrating the technical complexity of the work.
Simultaneously, another machine broke through at Kolathur Station, marking a rare dual achievement in India’s metro tunnelling projects. This underscores the high level of planning, coordination, and execution across the project team.
CMRL has expressed satisfaction with the progress, safety performance, and engineering quality demonstrated. Efforts to engage with local communities and implement environmental protections have minimized disruptions while maintaining a strong safety record.
Once completed, Phase II of the Chennai Metro will add nearly 119 km of new lines and around 128 stations, enhancing connectivity across the city, reducing road congestion, and supporting long‑term economic growth. These tunnelling milestones bring the project closer to delivering a faster, safer, and more sustainable transit system for Chennai’s residents.
