TBM Vidyarthi achieves Final Tunnel Breakthrough for Kanpur Metro Corridor 1

Kanpur, India (Metro Rail Today): In a landmark achievement for Uttar Pradesh’s urban transport infrastructure, the Kanpur Metro Rail Project has completed all tunnelling work for Corridor-1 (Orange Line) from IIT Kanpur to Naubasta. The final breakthrough was achieved by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM S-639B) ‘Vidyarthi’ between Jhakarkati and Kanpur Central, completing a major engineering feat across the seven underground stations of the corridor.

This milestone marks the successful completion of underground tunnelling by all four TBMs—‘Nana’, ‘Tatya’, ‘Azad’, and ‘Vidyarthi’—underscoring the technical efficiency and execution capability of the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC).

“This is not just the completion of tunnel construction—it is a symbol of Kanpur’s transformation into a modern, resilient, and future-ready city,” said Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group. “Kanpur Metro represents the pace, precision, and purpose of India’s new urban vision.”

It was part of the underground package KNPCC-06, a 4.65-kilometer section of the Kanpur Metro's Line 1. The machine was operated by Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, in a joint venture with Sam India Builtwell, which was awarded the contract in March 2022. Its initial assignment was to build a 1,250-meter-long tunnel for the downline from Kanpur Central Station towards Nayaganj Station. 

Project Snapshot: Kanpur Metro Corridors

The Kanpur Metro Rail Project spans 32.4 km across two corridors:

• Corridor-1 (Orange Line): IIT Kanpur to Naubasta (23.8 km) with 21 stations (7 underground, 14 elevated)

• Corridor-2: Agriculture University to Barra-8 (8.6 km) with 8 stations (4 underground, 4 elevated)

The underground section of Corridor-1 is one of the most technically demanding parts of the project and has now been completed successfully.

Engineering Marvel with Global Standards

TBM ‘Vidyarthi’ completed the final leg of tunnelling with precision and safety, using advanced boring technology that minimizes surface disruption—a technique reflecting international best practices in urban tunnelling.

Each of the TBMs deployed was named after iconic Indian revolutionaries, honoring the city’s legacy of freedom and progress.

“The use of four TBMs operating simultaneously across complex geology is a testament to UPMRC’s engineering leadership and operational discipline,” said a senior UPMRC official.

A Record of Speed and Success

The priority section of Kanpur Metro, from IIT to Motijheel, was made operational in record time—just 2 years and 1.5 months—on 28th December 2021, setting a new benchmark in Indian metro construction history.

UPMRC’s commitment to fast-track development without compromising safety or sustainability continues to be hailed across the metro industry.

What This Means for Kanpur

With tunnelling now complete, Kanpur is well on its way to being served by a fully integrated metro network that promises:

• Reduced congestion and pollution

• Boosted commercial and real estate growth

• Safe, comfortable, and weather-resistant travel

• Strengthened last-mile connectivity

The project is expected to transform public transport for over 2.5 million residents, contributing to clean mobility, urban renewal, and economic revitalization.

The successful completion of tunnelling for Kanpur Metro’s Corridor-1 is more than a technical feat—it is a symbol of the city’s urban resurgence. With its twin corridors progressing steadily, Kanpur is emerging as a model for metro rail development in Tier-2 Indian cities. Backed by UPMRC’s vision, execution, and innovation, the metro will redefine mobility for the industrial heartland of Uttar Pradesh.