Chennai: Amid loud cheers from the engineers, the first of two tunnels at Korukkupet metro station made a breakthrough on Sunday. This is a part of phase one extension from Washermenpet to Korukkupet covering a total of 1.8 km.
It is the fastest tunnel built in the city with the work finished five months ahead of time. The work started in July last year by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa with an estimate of Rs 3,770 crore.
The second tunnel, according to officials would be ready by next month after completing the balance length of 465m.
“During the drive since its launch at Washermenpet, the TBM has travelled beneath railway tracks with active traffic and numerous buildings and borewells. Intensive instrumentation is undertaken to maintain the structural integrity of existing buildings,” read the press release.
The phase 1 extension from Washermenpet to Korukkupet would integrate with Phase 1 Corridor 1 to introduce a direct connectivity from Wimco Nagar to Chennai Airport.
