Kalpataru Projects - Gulermak JV lowers first TBM for Kanpur Metro Line 2

Kanpur, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant advancement for the Kanpur Metro Line-2 project, the Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. (KPIL) and Gulermak joint venture (JV) successfully began the lowering and assembly of their first tunnel boring machine (TBM), S-1408A, at the Rawatpur Metro Station. This milestone marks the start of tunneling operations for the 8.38 km line that will connect the Agriculture University to Barra-8.

The S-1408A, a state-of-the-art Ø6.6 meter Herrenknecht Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine, is the fifth TBM deployed for the construction of the underground twin tunnels in the 32.385 km Kanpur Metro Phase 1 project. This particular machine is the first of two to be utilized for constructing the underground section of Line-2’s 4.08 km Package KNPCC-11, which will feature three underground stations at Rawatpur, Kakadeo, and Double Pullia.

For its inaugural task, S-1408A will excavate a tunnel of approximately 650 meters from Rawatpur Station toward the ramp at the Agriculture University. After completing this initial segment, the TBM will be brought back to Rawatpur Station and then relaunched to tunnel southward towards Kakadeo Station and onward to Double Pullia Station.

The TBM, manufactured by Herrenknecht Company, underwent factory acceptance tests in Guangzhou, China, in June 2024. The KPIL-Gulermak JV commenced the casting of tunnel ring segments in August 2024, anticipating the production of at least 3,600 segments needed to construct this section’s tunnels, which will have an inner diameter of 5.8 meters.

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) awarded the underground Package KNPCC-11 contract, valued at ₹762.50 crore, to the KPIL-Gulermak JV in December 2023. The consortium officially began construction work at Rawatpur Station in April 2024. KNPCC-11 is the third underground package of the 32.38 km Kanpur Metro Phase 1 project, following Line-1's KNPCC-05 (Chunniganj to Nayaganj) and KNPCC-06 (Nayaganj to Transport Nagar).

As of now, S-1408A is expected to be commissioned for its initial drive towards the Agriculture University ramp by the end of the month. While it has not yet received a nickname, the excitement surrounding its deployment is palpable among stakeholders and contractors alike.

With the successful introduction of the S-1408A TBM, the Kanpur Metro Phase 1 project continues to make significant strides, promising to enhance urban mobility and connectivity in one of India’s key cities.