Boring work for Metro 3 begins

Mumbai: Tunnelling for the Metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) corridor has begun and the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is likely to cover eight to 14 metres per day, according to MMRC officials. The TBM — which was commissioned from Nayanagar, Mahim — will come out in September 2018. The assembly of the first TBM was completed recently. The machine will come out at Dadar, covering a distance of 2km.

In total, 17 TBMs will be utilised to construct the 33.5-km-long twin tunnels of the corridor. The machines will be lowered at seven launching shafts in various locations including Cuffe Parade, Azad Maidan, Nehru Science Center in Worli, Nayanagar in Mahim, Vidyanagri in Kalina, Sahar Road in Andheri (east) and Pali Ground in Marol Naka.  “Five TBMs have arrived in the city. Of the five machines, three are underground and the remaining two machines will be lowered down by November end,” said Ashwini Bhide, managing director, MMRC. The machines will carry out boring 25-30 metres below the ground. The machines, which are used mainly for underground metro projects, have the capability to bore through hard rock beneath the main surface.

All the 17 TBMs will be out by end of 2019, and the project will be completed by December 2021, said Ms Bhide. “As per the schedule, the work from Aarey to Bandra- Kurla Complex will be completed by June 2021 and remaining stretch will get done by December 2021,” she added.