Kanpur Metro achieves a new milestone with first Tunnel Boring Machine breakthrough by ‘Nana’ TBM

Kanpur: Under corridor-1 of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project, the first breakthrough of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Nana’ was achieved today in the Bada Chauraha to Phoolbagh-Nayaganj station stretch. Starting the tunnel construction work from Bada Chauraha on 4th July, today ‘Nana’ Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) arrived at the retrieval shaft of Phoolbagh-Nayaganj Metro Station. On this occasion, Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Shri Susheel Kumar and other senior officials were present to welcome the TBM.

The cutterhead mounted on the front shield of the ‘Nana’ Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) rotates and excavates the ground with its blade. To make its job easy, water, foam and other additives are injected from multiple points of the machine. Today, when this cutterhead made its way to the retrieval shaft of Phoolbagh-Nayaganj metro station cutting through the wall, it was greeted with thunderous applause. With this, ‘Nana’ TBM completed a distance of 1025 meters on the ‘downline’ between Bada Chauraha to Nayaganj, which in itself is a major achievement for both Kanpur and UPMRCL. Passing under one of the most densely populated areas of the city, which also had many old buildings, the machine accomplished the challenging task in complete safety.

The ‘Nana’ TBM has completed the first stage of its underground tunneling with its arrival at the retrieval shaft at Phoolbagh-Nayaganj Metro Station. So far the machine has erected 733 rings while reaching the retrieval shaft. 6 more rings will be erected after the TBM is retrieved from the shaft. In this way, the work of underground tunneling on the ‘downline’ between Bada Chauraha to Nayaganj will be completed. On the other side, in the ‘upline’ also, ‘Tatya’ tunnel boring machine has constructed a tunnel up to about 615 meters while moving safely and smoothly.

Let us inform that tunnel construction work is currently being done between Bada Chauraha to Nayaganj in the 4 km (approx) long Chunniganj-Nayaganj underground section. After reaching the retrieval shaft at Nayaganj, both the TBMs will be retrieved and will be brought back to the launching shaft at Chunniganj. From here, constructing a tunnel, they will reach back to Bada Chauraha via Naveen Market.

Expressing happiness on the occasion, Mr. Sushil Kumar, Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited said, “To achieve the first breakthrough by Nana TBM is a very proud moment for us. TBMs ‘Nana’ and ‘Tatya’ are leading us to fulfill the dream of a world class metro system in Kanpur. The route between Chunniganj and Nayaganj is one of the busiest routes in the city. With the help of these state-of-the-art TBMs, we have been able to construct underground tunnels passing through the heart of the city with complete safety without affecting the traffic on the roads. The civil construction work on Kanpur Central-Transport Nagar underground section and Baradevi-Naubasta elevated section of the first corridor is also progressing at a fast pace. It is my firm belief that our team with their dedication and commitment will be able to achieve the set goals in the stipulated time in the future as well.”