Tunnel boring machine launched for Kanpur Metro corridor underground section

Kanpur: The ‘Gomati' Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was launched on Saturday from the launching shaft at Rawatpur to construct the ‘downline' tunnel up to Double Pulia. This is part of the approximately 4.10 km long Rawatpur–Double Pulia underground section of the kanpur metro project's Corridor-2, which runs from CSA to Barra-8. Tunnel construction on the ‘up-line' of this section is already underway with the ‘Parvati' TBM, which was launched on March 29.

The newly launched ‘Gomati' TBM will first build the tunnel from Rawatpur to Kakadeo station, followed by Kakadeo to Double Pulia section on ‘downline'. Previously, this machine completed 620-meter-long ‘up-line' tunnel from Rawatpur to Company Bagh Chauraha.

Corridor-2 comprises approximately 4.10 km of underground and 4.50 km of elevated sections, forming a total length of around 8.60 km. Three TBMs—Gomati, Saraswati and Parvati—are actively working in underground section. The tunneling work first began on a 620-meter stretch between Rawatpur and Company Bagh Chauraha.

On the occasion, Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of UPMRC, said, "The civil construction of Corridor-2 is progressing rapidly. With the launch of the Gomati TBM on the downline from Rawatpur to Double Pulia, another milestone has been achieved. The machine will first build a 780-meter tunnel up to Kakadeo station. After reaching Kakadeo, it will be shifted to the other end of the station using the dragging method, and then continue with a 1,020-meter tunnel up to Double Pulia. TBMs allow safe tunneling even in densely populated urban areas. Once completed, Corridor-2 will significantly improve connectivity for people on both sides of the railway line."