TBM Tapi records tunnel breakthrough at Surat Metro's Central Warehouse Station

Surat, India (Metro Rail Today): On July 16, 2024, Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV celebrated the breakthrough of tunnel boring machine (TBM) S94, named Tapi, at the Central Warehouse Station of Surat Metro Phase 1’s 22.77 km Line-1, which runs from Sarthana to Dream City.

Key Details

1.Breakthrough Achievement:
- This breakthrough marks S94 (Tapi)’s second tunnel breakthrough and the overall fourth for the 3.46 km Package CS2/UG1, connecting Kapodra to Surat Railway Station.
- TBM Tapi had previously completed its first assignment in January 2024, constructing a 1.5 km tunnel for the up-line from Kapodra to Labheshwar Chowk.

2.Recent Assignment:
- For its second assignment, TBM Tapi mined through Labheshwar Chowk Station’s box and traveled approximately 600 meters to Central Warehouse’s eastern shaft over 5.5 months.

 Project Details

- Contract and Deadline:
- Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) awarded the 3.46 km Package CS2/UG1’s ₹1073.31 crore contract to Gulermak – Sam India JV in March 2021, with a 40-month deadline.
- The package includes boring three twin tunnels and constructing three underground stations at Kapodra, Labheshwar Chowk, and Central Warehouse.

Progress and Future Plans

- TBM Narmada’s Performance:
- TBM Narmada (S78), working on the down-line, reached Central Warehouse Station in March 2024. It completed the Labheshwar Chowk to Central Warehouse section in just three months, about half the time taken by TBM Tapi.

- Tunneling Progress:
- With TBM Tapi’s breakthrough, Gulermak – Sam JV has completed approximately 4.6 km of tunneling (2 x 2.3 km) for both up and down lines. Only two more drives remain.

- Next Steps:
- TBM Tapi, like TBM Narmada, will be dragged through Central Warehouse Station and redeployed for its third and final assignment to build a roughly 388-meter tunnel to Surat Railway Station’s eastern shaft.

This breakthrough is a significant milestone in the Surat Metro project, bringing it one step closer to enhancing urban connectivity and easing transportation for Surat’s residents.