TBM ‘Gomati’ completes 4.10 km Underground Stretch on Kanpur Metro Corridor 2

The corresponding up-line tunnelling is currently being executed by TBM ‘Parvati’, with work progressing at a consistent pace. Officials confirmed that construction activities across both corridors of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project are advancing swiftly, supported by simultaneous trial runs and infrastructure readiness on other sections.

The Kanpur Metro Rail Project spans a total length of 32.4 km across two corridors. Corridor-1 connects IIT Kanpur to Naubasta over 23.8 km, comprising seven underground and fourteen elevated stations. Corridor-2 links Agriculture University to Barra-8 over 8.60 km, featuring four elevated and four underground stations. The completion of the down-line tunnelling in Corridor-2 represents a critical step, particularly given the technical complexities involved in underground construction within densely built urban zones. The successful drive of TBM ‘Gomati’ reflects precise engineering, advanced mechanised tunnelling, and strict adherence to safety standards.

Kanpur Metro’s execution track record has remained impressive. The priority corridor between IIT Kanpur and Motijheel was completed and made operational on 28 December 2021 in a record time of just over two years, setting a national benchmark for metro construction timelines. Recently, the first trial run from Kanpur Central to Naubasta on the up-line of Corridor-1 was conducted in the presence of UPMRC Managing Director Shri Sushil Kumar. During the inspection, critical systems including track alignment, third rail installation, power supply, and signalling were thoroughly examined to ensure operational safety and readiness.

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is currently overseeing metro projects in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra. Uttar Pradesh leads the country in the number of metro projects under development, aligning with its vision of becoming a ‘Metro Pradesh’ through safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable public transport systems. Kanpur Metro also holds the distinction of being the first metro service in the state to introduce the interoperable National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), enabling seamless payments across transport and retail services nationwide.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The successful tunnelling breakthrough in Kanpur highlights the growing technical maturity of India’s metro construction ecosystem. Timely execution of complex underground stretches reflects strong project management and engineering capability. Such milestones are crucial in accelerating urban transformation and delivering reliable, sustainable mobility solutions to rapidly expanding cities.”

With tunnelling advancing and system trials progressing simultaneously, Kanpur Metro continues to build momentum toward comprehensive operations, bringing the city closer to faster, greener, and smarter urban mobility.