TBM Amrit achieves Final Tunnel Breakthrough for Surat Metro Rail Project

Surat, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major milestone for Gujarat’s first metro project, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) "Amrit" has successfully completed its final breakthrough at Chowk Bazar station, marking the completion of all tunneling works under Surat Metro’s Underground Package CS2.

This significant achievement was confirmed by Gulermak-Sam India JV, the contractor responsible for executing the underground stretch of Corridor-1, which connects Kadarsha ni Nal to Dream City via dense urban zones. The final push by TBM Amrit concludes months of meticulous underground construction beneath some of Surat’s most historic and congested areas.

Package CS2 is part of Corridor-1, a 21.61 km route that runs from Sarthana to Dream City. The underground section stretches approximately 6.47 km between Kapodra Ramp and Dream City Ramp, and includes six underground stations at:

• Kapodra

• Labheshwar Chowk

• Central Warehouse

• Railway Station

• Maskati Hospital

• Chowk Bazar

TBM Amrit was deployed to build the down-line tunnel between Maskati Hospital and Chowk Bazar, while its sister machine, TBM Tejas, had earlier completed the up-line tunneling on the same stretch.

The tunneling through dense city zones posed considerable logistical and engineering challenges, including navigating narrow lanes, historical structures, and water-bearing strata. Yet, the Gulermak-Sam India team managed the feat with minimal surface disruption, using Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBMs specially designed for soft ground conditions typical of urban India.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, applauded the achievement, “Surat Metro’s final TBM breakthrough is a defining moment—not just for the project, but for the city’s urban transformation. Completing complex tunneling under a live cityscape without disruption reflects engineering finesse and meticulous planning. This will redefine mobility in Surat’s core while preserving its heritage fabric.”

With TBM Amrit’s breakthrough at Chowk Bazar, Surat Metro now transitions into the next phase of underground station development, track laying, and systems integration. The completion of tunneling sets the stage for timely testing and commissioning of the underground stretch, targeted for 2027.

The broader Surat Metro Phase 1, being implemented by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) with funding support from French development agency AFD and Germany’s KfW Bank, spans 40.35 km across two corridors, covering 38 stations.

The Surat Metro project is poised to transform public transport in Gujarat’s second-largest city. By easing pressure on roads, reducing pollution, and offering high-speed urban mobility, the metro will play a key role in supporting Surat’s rapid urbanization and economic growth.

With all tunneling under Package CS2 now complete, Surat joins other Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai in successfully executing underground metro infrastructure at scale—placing it firmly on the map of India’s smart transit cities.