TBM ‘Parvati’ completes Underground Tunnelling on Kanpur Metro Phase 1 Project

Kanpur, India (Metro Rail Today): The Kanpur Metro Rail Project has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of tunnel construction along the 4.80 km underground section between Rawatpur and Double Pulia on Corridor-2. The breakthrough was marked by the successful exit of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Parvati’, signifying the completion of tunnelling works across both corridors of the project.

This achievement underscores the rapid pace of execution by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRCL), with the underground tunnelling completed in an impressive 16 months from the initial drive. The milestone reflects strong engineering precision and efficient project management in one of Uttar Pradesh’s key urban transit projects.

Fast-Tracked Underground Construction

The completed section forms a crucial part of the 13.50 km underground network, where a total of seven TBMs have been deployed. Earlier, TBM ‘Gomati’ had successfully completed the 4.10 km down-line tunnel on the same stretch in February 2026, paving the way for the final breakthrough by ‘Parvati’.

The twin-tunnel system ensures seamless bi-directional train movement, a standard feature in modern metro systems designed for high-capacity and efficient operations.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The completion of tunnelling in such a short timeframe highlights the growing expertise in underground metro construction in India. Efficient execution of complex projects like Kanpur Metro is essential to meet the rising urban mobility demands of rapidly expanding cities.”

Strengthening Urban Mobility in Kanpur

The Kanpur Metro project spans 32.4 kilometres across two corridors, aimed at transforming connectivity in the industrial city. Corridor-1, connecting IIT Kanpur to Naubasta, and Corridor-2, linking Agriculture University to Barra-8, together form the backbone of the city’s future public transport system.

The project has already demonstrated its execution capabilities with the priority corridor between IIT Kanpur and Motijheel, which became operational in December 2021 in record time. The ongoing progress on underground sections further accelerates the city’s journey toward a comprehensive metro network.

Technology-Driven and Passenger-Centric System

Kanpur Metro stands out for integrating modern commuter solutions, including the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), enabling seamless payments across multiple transport modes and services. This aligns with India’s push toward integrated and digital urban mobility ecosystems.

With tunnelling works now completed for both corridors, the focus will shift to track laying, systems installation, and station development. The rapid pace of construction positions Kanpur Metro as one of the fastest progressing metro projects in the country.

As Uttar Pradesh continues to expand its metro footprint across cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra, the state is steadily emerging as a hub of modern urban transit infrastructure, bringing it closer to its vision of becoming a “Metro Pradesh.”