Bangalore (Metro Rail News): On 27 June, Bangalore Metro’s Pink Line encountered a major setback when authorities halted the operations of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Tunga due to the appearance of a sinkhole on the road in KG Halli, located in northeastern Bengaluru.
As per a senior BMRCL official, the sinkhole measures roughly between 2.5 to 3 meters in width and 3 meters in depth and is likely to have appeared due to either an air pocket or loose soil conditions.
Since 2023, there have been 3 sinkholes identified along the Pink Line: one on Brigade Road and another in Pottery Town.
According to an official “The repair is underway and will be followed by grouting. Backfilling the sinkhole again will need four more days. The TBM will not operate during this time. We will then proceed slowly,” reported Deccan Herald.
ITD Cementation Ltd deployed the TBM (S-839), nicknamed TBM Tunga at KG Halli for its 935-metre-long tunnel drive towards Nagavara In the first week of February.
This is TBM Tunga’s final assignment for the 21.26-km long Pink Line, which will connect Kalena Agrahara to Nagavara through MG Road and Tannery Road. The Pink Line features a 13.76 km underground section and a 7.5 km elevated section.
TBM Tunga’s Journey on the Pink Line:
1. First Drive
– Route: Venkateshpura to Tannery Road
– Distance: 834.4 meters
– Duration: July 23, 2021 – August 24, 2022
2. Second Drive
– Route: Venkateshpura to KG Halli
– Distance: 1,184.4 meters
– Duration: October 31, 2022 – December 6, 2023
3. Third Drive
– Route: KG Halli to Nagavara
– Distance: 935 meters
– Start Date: February 1, 2024 (ongoing)
TBM Tunga is likely to achieve its final breakthrough at Nagavara Station of Pink Line on 30 October.
