TBM 219-364 Makes a Breakthrough at Chennai Metro’s Korukkupet Stn

Just a couple hours ago, TBM 219-364 – a Robbins tunnel boring machine operated by Afcons Infrastructure made a successful final breakthrough at Chennai Metro’s Korukkupet Station in north Chennai – 4 months ahead of its scheduled target of February 2018. With this breakthrough, excavation for both tunnels on the 2.4 km UAA-08 package (Washermenpet – Korukkupet) of the 9.1 km Phase 1 extension project are now complete.

After building twin tunnels for Chennai’s UAA-01 project between the May Day Park Shaft and Central Station, this TBM was commissioned on March 27 2017 from the Washermenpet Station to build the 1818m up-line tunnel between Washermenpet – Sir Theagaraya College – Korukkupet on the 32.10 km Line-1 between Chennai Airport and Wimco Nagar. The earth pressure balance machine built a total of 1300 rings in just 7 months aided by north Chennai’s favorable soil profile which comprises of silty sand, fine sand and clay. Along the way, it made a ‘hidden’ breakthrough at Sir Theagaraya College Station in July as the station’s excavation was still underway.

Excavation by TBM S711 on the parallel down-line tunnel began in April, a month later than TBM 219-364, but got completed earlier in September.

Package UAA08: Washermenpet – Korrukupet – view Chennai Metro map & information

Photo Copyright: Shrinidhi Vijay Vellanki

Photo Copyright: Shrinidhi Vijay Vellanki

Photo Copyright: Pawan Mamgain

Photo Copyright: Shrinidhi Vijay Vellanki

Photo Copyright: Shrinidhi Vijay Vellanki

Video:

With this, there’s only one more breakthrough pending on the entire 54.1 km Phase 1 & Phase 1 extension project at AG-DMS Station by TBM S704. I’ll add its progress information here when available. Its sister machine S703 arrived at the station about 2 weeks ago.

For more updates, check out the Chennai section of The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

8 Responses to "TBM 219-364 Makes a Breakthrough at Chennai Metro’s Korukkupet Stn"

  1. Manjunath says:

    That was super super quick. At this rate, they should have built the whole extension underground. NCC is going slow on the elevated stretch.

    Reply
  2. Navnit S says:

    What is the progress on the elevated section of phase 1 extension ? I heard that it was going to be given in 2 packages ?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      There are 3 parts –

      ECV 101 – Korrukupet Ramp – Thangal
      ECV 102 – Thangal – Wimco Nagar
      ECV 103 – Piles and pile caps for entire line – this was awarded to NCC in March

      I haven’t heard of financial bids being opened for ECV 101-102. Bid submission deadline was extended to August 8, so I imagine technical bid evaluation is still ongoing.

      Reply
      • Navnit S says:

        Thank you !

        Reply
      • Kumaran says:

        Hi TMRG,

        i got this info from news. could you please write in details

        According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the firms NCC Limited and Simplex Infrastructure Limited have been awarded the contract to build six stations — Tondiarpet, Toll Gate, Gowri Ashram, Thangal, Tiruvottiyur and Wimco Nagar — and viaduct along this stretch. “This time we have separated the work in such a way so as to award two contracts so that the firms can finish the work without any delay,” an official said.

        Reply
        • TMRG says:

          That’s great news! This deserves a separate post of its own – as soon as I find some time and have additional info.

          Reply
  3. G.Ravindhar says:

    Thank you for the valuable contribution.
    I want to know the route and status of the CMRL between
    Agasthya Theatre and beyond to Tollgate (Tondaiarpet –
    Thiruvotriyur High Road route).
    I will be thankful to get your reply/feedback.

    Reply

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