Months after the 9 km phase I extension work launched on the Washermanpet-Wimco Nagar stretch by the then CM at an investment of Rs. 3,770cr, the tunneling work for phase in question of Chennai Metro Rail project is all set to start shortly. This project is partially underground and elevated and CMRL claimed that it has almost completed the construction of a diaphragm wall and is also engaged in the other preparatory works for a few months now before beginning the tunneling work. Afcons Infrastructure Limited has been awarded the contract to complete the tunneling work. The company has positioned the TBMs at Washermanpet where the underground network will begin for this project. Soon after the underground work gains substantial progress, the work on elevated corridor will start and the project is likely to be completed and open for public by 2019, sources claimed.