TBM Narmada completes final breakthrough for Surat Metro Phase 1

Surat, India (Metro Rail Today): August 2024 has indeed been a landmark month for urban transportation projects across India. Alongside significant advancements in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, and Chennai, Surat has made headlines with a noteworthy accomplishment of its own. On the night of August 30th, the consortium led by Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV celebrated a major milestone with the final breakthrough of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM-Narmada) S78 at Surat Railway Station.

Known affectionately as TBM Narmada, this machine has now completed its final tunneling assignment for Surat Metro’s 22.77 km Line-1, which spans from Sarthana to Dream City. This achievement represents the third and final tunnel breakthrough within the 3.46 km Package CS2 / UG1 section, which connects Kapodra to Surat Railway Station.

Earlier this year, TBM S78 accomplished the following:

• January 2024: Completed its initial mission by boring a 1.5 km tunnel from Kapodra to Labheshwar Chowk. Although this breakthrough was achieved, it wasn't publicly announced due to ongoing soil excavation.
• Subsequent Breakthroughs: The TBM then excavated a 600-meter tunnel through Labheshwar Chowk Station and reached the Central Warehouse’s eastern shaft. The final phase saw the completion of a 388-meter tunnel from Central Warehouse to Surat Railway Station.

The final breakthrough was marked by a celebratory digital banner, highlighting the successful conclusion of TBM Narmada’s mission. Visuals from the event captured the excitement surrounding this significant achievement, with images of the TBM at Surat Railway Station’s Eastern Retrieval Shaft.

The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) awarded the contract for Package CS2 / UG1 to the Gulermak – Sam India JV in March 2021. This contract encompasses the boring of six tunnels (three twin tunnels) using TBM S78 (Narmada) and TBM S94 (Tapi), along with the construction of three major stations: Kapodra, Labheshwar Chowk, and Central Warehouse.

With TBM S78's mission now complete, there is anticipation that the machine will be transferred to a new project in Cluj, Romania, where it will aid in constructing tunnels for the Cluj-Napoca Metro’s Line-1. This international assignment underscores the global demand for advanced tunneling technology.

TBM S94 (Tapi), which has been operating behind schedule, arrived at the Central Warehouse in July 2024. It is expected to achieve its third and final breakthrough for Package CS2 / UG1 by late October or early November 2024.

The successful operation of TBM S78 represents a crucial advancement in Surat Metro’s Phase 1 project. This progress is poised to significantly enhance urban connectivity, improving transportation efficiency for the city’s residents.

The achievements of TBM S78 highlight the cutting-edge technology and expertise involved in modern metro construction. Its successful deployment and completion set a high standard for future infrastructure projects.

The expansion of Surat Metro will bring numerous benefits, including reduced travel times, improved accessibility, and a more efficient public transportation system. These improvements will greatly enhance the daily commuting experience for Surat’s residents.

The final breakthrough of Surat Metro’s TBM S78 marks a pivotal moment in the development of the city’s metro infrastructure. This accomplishment not only signifies a major step forward in the ongoing project but also demonstrates the advanced technology and expertise driving modern urban transportation solutions. As Surat Metro progresses, these developments promise to deliver substantial benefits to the city’s residents, setting a strong foundation for future advancements in urban mobility.