Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has begun tunnelling from Thiruvanmiyur to Indira Nagar on Phase II’s Corridor 3, and the tunnel-boring machine (TBM) has drilled nearly 100 metres. The stretch is part of the ₹63,246-crore Phase II project, which includes three corridors: Madhavaram–SIPCOT (Corridor 3), Light House–Poonamallee (Corridor 4) and Madhavaram–Sholinganallur (Corridor 5). The 650-metre section passes through hard rock, requiring a specialised TBM; officials estimate it will take nearly six months to reach Indira Nagar, with cutterhead parts potentially needing more frequent replacement. A second TBM can be launched at Thiruvanmiyur only after the first reaches Indira Nagar. Work was delayed after CMRL cancelled underground-work tenders because bidders submitted unreasonable quotes. Hard rock also made station excavation and shaft construction difficult; the contractor used chemicals to disintegrate the rock instead of controlled blasting.

Redevelopment replaces ageing apartment buildings, allowing existing owners to gain modern amenities and potentially larger homes while developers sell additional units using permitted CMDA floor space index (FSI). Chennai’s shortage of vacant land is pushing builders towards suburban projects, but redevelopment offers buyers homes in established areas with strong social infrastructure and connectivity.

• In Adyar, residents of a 24-apartment complex have sought redevelopment for more than five years. The over-30-year-old building lacks lifts and designated parking, and raised road levels have contributed to monsoon flooding on the ground floor. GST and interior costs have hindered agreement.
• In Nanganallur, residents of a 16-apartment complex with 13 owners took two-and-a-half years to agree on a builder. Its 20-ft-road location and proximity to the airport make it ineligible for additional FSI; the new building will have parking and a lift.
• Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) properties in Thiruvanmiyur, Besant Nagar, Indira Nagar, Anna Nagar and K.K. Nagar are redevelopment opportunities. TNHB retains rights over rented flats, which it can redevelop and sell.
• Residents of a 30-apartment building, now 48 years old and built in 1978, have pursued redevelopment for five years. Corrosion near the sea and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, introduced in 1992, have complicated the process; they recently obtained CMDA approval.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said reassessments, first undertaken in 2018 and substantially revised in 2022 before collection was paused, are now being implemented. Assessments use GIS, satellite imagery, government databases and owners’ self-declared areas; owners can request remeasurement and reconsideration through RDCs. The GCC issued notices to three lakh assessees and expects ₹83 crore in additional annual revenue from under-assessed properties.

Residents reported increases from ₹295 to ₹3,255; ₹895 to ₹1,835; ₹6,500 per half-year to over ₹31,000; and ₹900 to ₹3,300. Residents and councillors questioned the lack of explanations, prior consultation, manual verification and an objections portal, and cited inconsistent notices within apartment complexes. The reassessment initially targeted commercial buildings, then about 6,000 homes; the taxation committee said it had not been informed residential properties were included. It will seek a portal and greater transparency at its August 23 or 24 meeting. The GCC faces a ₹2,000 crore liability and a fund crunch.

Due to Chennai Metro Rail underground construction on Lattice Bridge (L.B.) Road, the stretch from Indian Oil Petrol Bunk Junction to L.B. Road-M.G. Road Junction will be completely closed to traffic from Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Traffic diversions implemented:

Buses and heavy vehicles towards Thiru.Vi.Ka Bridge: Diverted at L.B. Road-M.G. Road Junction via M.G. Road, Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road, left turn at Shastri Nagar 1st Avenue. Vehicles from Besant Nagar diverted to 7th Avenue M.G. Road, right turn to Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road.

Vehicles towards Thiruvanmiyur: Via L.B. Road-Shastri Nagar Junction, Shastri Nagar 1st Avenue, right turn to 11th Cross Street, left turn to 8th Cross Street, right turn to 10th Cross Street, M.G. Road.

Light motor vehicles towards Thiru.Vi.Ka Bridge: Diverted via Indira Nagar 2nd Avenue, 1st Main Road, 1st Avenue, L.B. Road (Indian Oil Petrol Bunk Signal Junction). Heavy vehicle movement prohibited on Indira Nagar 2nd Avenue during diversion.

Road conversions: Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road to L.B. Road via M.G. Road converted to two-way; Shastri Nagar 1st Avenue to Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road converted to two-way. Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road operates as one-way towards Thiru.Vi.Ka Bridge; 11th Cross Street as one-way towards Thiruvanmiyur.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) plans to begin tunnelling between Thiruvanmiyur and Indira Nagar in November, using two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to build twin tunnels across nearly 650 metres.

The stretch is part of Phase II, a 118.9-km project. Corridor 3, from Madhavaram to SIPCOT via Adyar, is 45.8 km long, including 26.8 km underground. Trains from Madhavaram will pass at least 40 locations, including Thiruvanmiyur and Indira Nagar, before reaching SIPCOT.

Excavation at Thiruvanmiyur station has been underway for several weeks at a depth of 22 metres. One TBM has been lowered and the other will follow. Hard granite is complicating excavation; the contractor opted to use chemicals to disintegrate the rock instead of controlled blasting. Tunnelling may take nearly a year. Repeated cutterhead interventions to replace worn discs could slow both machines.