TBM Bhadra records first tunnel breakthrough for Bangalore Metro Phase 2

Bengaluru, India (Metro Rail Today): The engineers of ITD Cementation (India) Ltd and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has recorded first tunnel breakthrough at Shadi Mahal Shaft through Tunnel Boring Machine (S-840B), nicknamed BHADRA under contract package RT-04 of Bangalore Metro Phase 2.

TBM Bhadra was launched on 24th June 2021 at Venkateshpura Underground Metro Station and it has taken a total of 540 days to complete the tunnelling of 1,066.80 meters (excluding 192 meters temporary tunnel done for drive through at Tannery Road Station).

Now, this TBM will be deployed for tunnelling between Venkateshpura to K G Halli Metro Station.

This refurbished Herrenknecht mixed-shield EPB machine, along with its sister machine TBM Tunga (S-839), will build four tunnels each for 4.591 km package RT-04 (Tannery Road – North Ramp) in north Bengaluru. ITD will built a combined total of 6.34 km twin tunnels, roughly 360 meter ramp at Nagawara, and four stations at Tannery Road, Venkateshpura, Kadugundanahalli and Nagawara.

"Underground tunneling work is progressing fast except at Lakkasandra where TBM Rudra encountered a garbage pile-up. We will resume the work there in 15 days. We have overcome all other issues. We are planning to commence commercial operations of the entire section by December 2024," said Anjum  Parwez, Managing Director, BMRCL, reported TOI.

A total of 9 TBMs have been deployed for construction of Pink Line of Bangalore Metro Rail Project. Out of 3 TBMs by Afcons Infrastructure, 4 TBMs by Larsen & Toubro and 2 TBMs by ITD Cementation India. About 70% tunneling work has been completed on Punk Line. Out of 21.2 km work (twin tunnels), around 14.3 km has been completed so far.

The 21.386 km Pink Line (Reach-6) will connect Kalena Agaraha to Nagawara with 18 stations at Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIM Bangalore, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital, Swagath Road Cross, Dairy Circle, Lakkasandra, Langford Town, Rashtriya Military School, MG Road, Shivaji Nagar, Cantonment, Pottery Town, Tannery Road, Venkateshpura, Kadugundanahalli and Nagawara

The Pink line is expected to get commissioned by December 2024.