Anna Salai tunnelling work nears completion.

After facing several hurdles, tunnelling work of Chennai Metro Rail along Anna Salai is finally nearing completion.

According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), of the two tunnel boring machines that were deployed from the Government Estate, one will reach the final destination AG-DMS in a few days.

“We will start laying tracks on this stretch now. The construction of cross passage [the way passengers can use in case of an emergency in tunnel] and other signalling and electrical works will be also completed,” an official said.

It may take another month for the next tunnel to reach AG-DMS, he also added.

Five years ago, tunnelling work on this stretch began from Government Estate. Gammon India and its Russian partner Mosmetrostroy had to carry out the tunnelling and station work.

In May 2015, Mosmetrostroy abandoned the project owing to a financial crisis and the CMRL terminated the contract of Gammon India.

Soon after that, Afcons Infrastructure Limited took up the work.

This stretch, however, is likely to be thrown open to public only by the end of next year.

THE HINDU