3rd Tunnel Boring Machine begins journey for Patna Metro Rail Project

Patna, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Patna Metro Rail Project, the city witnessed a crucial milestone as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) was successfully lowered into the launching shaft. This marks the initiation of the excavation process for the underground metro station, connecting Gandhi Maidan to Akashvani. The TBM, weighing an impressive 450 metric tons, will embark on a remarkable 966-meter journey to facilitate the city's metro transportation expansion.

The elaborate process of positioning the TBM into the launching shaft involved a complex operation utilizing 4 strand jacks with a capacity of 300 metric tons each, accompanied by a megalift boasting a total capacity of 1200 metric tons. With precision and efficiency, the intricate lowering of the TBM into the shaft, situated 52 feet below ground level, was successfully executed, underscoring the meticulous planning and engineering prowess behind the Patna Metro Rail Project.

The TBM 3, now positioned within the 32-meter long and 25-meter wide launching shaft at Gandhi Maidan, is poised to undertake a journey of approximately 966 meters from the starting point to the Akashvani Metro Station. The sheer magnitude of the TBM's weight, equivalent to that of 28 fifty-seater buses, emphasizes the scale and impact of the machinery employed in the ambitious Patna Metro Rail initiative.

While TBM 3 commences its monumental subterranean journey, it is important to note that two other tunnel boring machines, TBM 1 and TBM 2, are already actively engaged in the excavation process at the Moin Ul Haq underground metro station. Both TBMs are expected to traverse a substantial distance of about 1.49 kilometers, from Moin Ul Haq to Patna University, where they will undergo retrieval and subsequent re-launch for continued tunneling operations.

The concept of the launching shaft, a crucial structural component in the execution of tunneling endeavors, serves as a robust concrete and steel infrastructure designed explicitly to facilitate the deployment and initiation of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). Its strategic role in the seamless integration of the TBM into the underground metro system highlights the project's comprehensive approach toward ensuring a streamlined and efficient construction process.

With these recent advancements, the Patna Metro Rail Project is poised to revolutionize the city's transportation landscape, ushering in a new era of modern connectivity and facilitating enhanced mobility for its residents. As the project unfolds, the steady progress and meticulous attention to detail underscore the city's commitment to fostering sustainable urban development and addressing the evolving needs of its burgeoning population.