Tata’s TBM S98 Records Chennai Metro Phase 2’s 5th Breakthrough

Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL) on Thursday celebrated tunnel boring machine S98’s second tunnel breakthrough at Otteri Station for the 116.1 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project.

Nicknamed TBM Anaimalai, this Ø6.61m diameter Terratec Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine was originally launched from 45.8 km Line-3’s Madhavaram Milk Colony Station’s north shaft in February 2023 and travelled 415m to record its first breakthrough in June 2023 for the up-line at Venugopal Nagar Station.

The machine was then dismantled, taken out, and recommissioned from Ayanavaram Station’s south shaft in October 2023 from where it travelled 925 meters in 8 months to build the down-line tunnel towards Otteri Station’s north shaft.

Otteri Station’s South Shaft – Photo by Ayan Halder

Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) had awarded Tata Projects with Package TU-01’s Rs. 1999 crore contract in May 2021 with a 42 month deadline.

TBM Anamalai along with 6 other TBMs will build approximately 9 km twin tunnels (total 18 km) on Line-3’s Venugopal Nagar – Kellys underground section. The scope also includes construction of diaphragm walls, entry/exit structures of Madhavaram Milk Colony Station, Murari Hospital Station, Ayanavaram Station and Purasaiwakkam High Road Station.

CMRL’s May 2023 updated Chennai Metro Phase 2 Map – view Phase 2 information & route map
Alignment from Ayanvaram to Otteri displayed at the breakthrough event – Photo by Amit Rai
Photo by Ayan Halder
Photo by Ayan Halder
Photo by Bhawar Singh Yadav

With this development, 5 tunnels have been built so far. 4 of those connect Venugopal Nagar – Madhavaram Milk Colony – Madhavaram High Road stations on the north side, a length of roughly 2.5 kms including station boxes.

Recap of breakthroughs recorded so far:

  • June 2023TBM S98 (Anaimalai) at Venugopal Nagar – 415m
  • August 2023TBM S96 (Nilgiri) at Madhavaram High Road – 1.4 km
  • September 2023TBM S99 (Servarayan) at Venugopal Nagar – 415m
  • November 2023: TBM S97 (Podhigai) at Madhavaram High Road – 1.4 km
  • June 2024: TBM S98 (Anaimalai) at Otteri Station – 925m (this post!)

For more updates, check out the Chennai section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

8 Responses to "Tata’s TBM S98 Records Chennai Metro Phase 2’s 5th Breakthrough"

  1. Archy lover says:

    Ayo bro… Plz check the news of Delhi metro Rithala-Narela section getting CG approval.. plz tell is it true or not??

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Hey, Finance Ministry’s Public Investment Board (PIB) has given approval and laid out financing plan. Central Government’s Cabinet’s approval is now pending. That’s the final step.

      Reply
  2. Masilamani N says:

    Hi, when did tunnel work will start Srinivasa Nagar and Villivakkam station metro

    Reply
  3. Santha Kumar says:

    Hi bro, when is the scheduled end date of poonamallee to porur metro line…? And dose karanyanchavadi to kattuppakkam and mugalivakam to Chennai trade center are we getting metro rail + road way bridge in one pillar ?

    And thank you so much for keeping us updated on greater Chennai infrastructure news.

    Reply
  4. Vicky says:

    Hi, any updates when will DPR work for Koyambedu – Avadi branch metro line(red) start by RITES ? Is the contract awarded ?

    Also, any update on starting of Madurai metro construction ?

    Reply
  5. Amrit says:

    What’s the status of Airport – Kilambakkam extension?

    Reply
    • Jones says:

      As of sources, state cabinet approved the project. Approval & Funds are yet to come from Central Government. Maybe when DPR for Koyambedu-Avadi, Poonamallee-Parandur metro stretches are ready, Centre may consider approving all 3 extensions together.

      Reply

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