Mumbaikars won't be affected with TBM work, says MMRC
MMRC authorities assured that the work of TBM would not cause any trouble for Mumbaikars.
Mumbai: The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) that arrived recently will be functioning from September itself. It will be used to drill twin tunnels for the 33.5 km Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 line. Sixteen more highly mechanised TBMs will arrive in the city by next year to drill 51 km of tunnels. Beginning from Naya Nagar, Mahim the machine will come out in Dadar after a year.
The steel frame has been lowered at Naya Nagar launching shaft. The parts of TBM will be assembled on this steel frame. MMRC authorities assured that the work of TBM would not cause any trouble for Mumbaikars. The tunnel boring will begin only after CM's inauguration ceremony this month. “The work of TBM will not be affecting or disturbing the residents, the work will be carried 25 meters deep from the main surface,” said S.K. Gupta, director (projects) MMRC.
In order to assemble the machine, which weighs more than 300 tonnes, the MMRC has constructed 11 launching shafts. Such shafts are constructed at the starting point of the underground tunnel, which will help to lower the machine underground. There are shafts in areas like Cuffe Parade, Azad Maidan, Siddhi Vinayak, Science Museum, Naya Nagar, BKC, Marol etc. “The TBM machine will be lowered part by part through the shafts. At first, the front body will be lowered, followed by middle body and in the end the tail skin,” said Gupta.
The MMRC has ordered 17 TBM machines for the work of 33.5km corridor, of which eight will arrive this year itself. “Of the 17 TBM machines, 10 are new and other 7 are refurbished. But each package will have at least one new TBM,” added Gupta. According to the MMRC, five TBMs will arrive in the city by October and three machines will come by September. The remaining TBMs are expected to arrive by February next year.