Chennai: Work on twin metro rail tunnels along OMR will begin tomorrow | Chennai News – Times of India – Times of India

CHENNAI: Construction of twin metro rail tunnels covering nearly 1.4km each between Thiruvanmiyur and SRP Tools on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will begin soon.
Metro rail officials said while a survey to map the existing underground utilities like pipelines and cables is underway, preliminary work on the surface of the road including removal of structures like median and barricading a portion of the road will begin on Monday. The metro rail line planned on OMR will cover a nearly 20km stretch from Thiruvanmiyur to Siruseri SIPCOT with 22 stations to link the city’s IT hub and the neighbouring residential areas. It is part of the 118.9km three-corridor phase-2 project which is expected to be completed by 2026.
A metro rail official said a contract for the construction of underground twin tunnels between Thiruvanmiyur and SRP Tools junction has been awarded and a survey to map the utilities like pipelines, drainages, sewers and cables underground is under progress. “For the construction of underground stations and the elevated lines, tenders have been opened and further process is ongoing,” a cmrl official said.
On Friday, the state highways minister E V Velu informed the state assembly session that user fee collection will be suspended at four toll plazas on OMR to facilitate construction of the metro rail line.
OMR will have a nearly 1.4km underground line between Thiruvanmiyur and SRP Tools with two stations and an 18.8km elevated line from Nehru Nagar to Siruseri SIPCOT with 20 stations. The OMR stretch is part of the 45.8km corridor of phase-2 from Madhavaram to Siruseri SIPCOT.
An official said underground utility lines would be shifted after survey is completed and it may be followed by removing structures on the ground which may come in the way of the construction. This may include centre median concrete structures. Once the tunnel boring machines arrive, they will be launched underground by cutting a shaft on the road.
The construction of elevated line will also involve barricading a portion of the road and conducting soil tests, if required, before piling rigs begin drilling holes into the soil to lay foundation pillars for the elevated viaducts. The elevated line will be built in the middle of the road and the stations will sit on a single row of pillars.