CHENNAI: To prevent accidents during tunnelling work, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will conduct soil test below petrol pumps. This is being implemented for phase-2 of the project. The agency has identified three petrol pumps between proposed stations at Greenways Road and Adyar Junction, where twin tunnels will be built.
Soil samples will be collected from around the fuel tanks built under these fuel outlets to check for stability, type, and pollution. The CMRL has awarded a contract to Larsen & Toubro to construct 12km-long twin-tunnels between Kellys at Purasawalkam and Taramani. Tunneling is likely to begin in November.
“We plan to conduct soil tests under the fuel outlets for our own safety. Soil contaminated with fuel is a fire hazard during the tunnelling process. We have sought permission from BPCL and IOC to conduct the test,” an official said. “The fuel storage tanks are mostly stainless steel, so chances of leakage and soil contamination is less.”
