Indore Metro launched first Tunnel Boring Machine Narmada on Yellow Line

Indore, India (Rail & Metro Today): The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) has launched its first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named ‘Narmada’, at the Airport shaft, marking the official beginning of underground tunnelling for the Indore Metro Project.

The TBM was launched on September 4, 2026, for the construction of the underground section of Indore Metro's Yellow Line. The launch represents a major milestone as the project moves into one of its most technically challenging construction phases.

The underground works are being executed under Package IN-05R by the HCC-TPL Joint Venture, using Terratec Tunnel Boring Machines.

TBM Narmada to Tunnel from Airport Towards Bada Ganpati

Weighing approximately 410 metric tonnes, TBM Narmada has a lifting and operating capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes. The massive machine was lowered into the Airport shaft using specialised heavy-duty equipment, including the Megalift System and Strand Jack Assembly.

Narmada will excavate one of the underground metro tunnels from the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport towards Bada Ganpati.

A second TBM, named ‘Kshipra’, has also been deployed to support the construction of the parallel tunnel. The two machines will work simultaneously to create the twin underground tunnels, with sections of the alignment reaching depths of up to 28 metres.

The use of twin TBMs will help accelerate the construction of the underground metro corridor while enabling the two tunnels required for bidirectional train operations to be developed simultaneously.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The launch of TBM Narmada marks a defining moment for the Indore Metro Project as the city enters the underground construction phase. Tunnelling in a densely developed urban environment requires advanced technology, precision and strong project management. The deployment of two TBMs will help accelerate this important phase and bring Indore closer to a fully integrated Metro network.”

Seven Underground Metro Stations on Yellow Line

The underground section forms part of the Indore Metro Yellow Line, extending between Indore Railway Station and the Airport through the city centre.

The proposed underground stretch includes seven important metro stations: Indore Railway Station, Rajwada, Chota Ganpati, Bada Ganpati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF/Kalani Nagar and Airport.

These stations are expected to provide metro connectivity to some of Indore's busiest commercial, residential and transport locations. The underground alignment is particularly significant because it will allow the Metro to pass through the city's dense central areas while connecting the airport with key destinations.

A Major Milestone for Indore Metro

The beginning of TBM-based tunnelling represents one of the most important milestones in the construction of any underground urban rail project. Unlike elevated construction, tunnelling requires specialised machinery and careful monitoring of soil, ground conditions and existing structures.

With Narmada and Kshipra now deployed, the underground section of the Indore Metro is expected to gain further momentum. The twin-tunnel construction will eventually support safe and efficient metro operations through the heart of the city.

The launch at the Airport shaft also highlights the growing role of advanced mechanised tunnelling technology in India's rapidly expanding urban rail sector.

As MPMRCL advances work on the Indore Metro, the successful deployment of its first TBM marks the beginning of a new phase for the project. The construction of the underground corridor will be crucial in completing the Yellow Line and extending modern, high-capacity metro connectivity to key areas of Indore.