Kanpur (Metro Rail News): On July 15, the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) launched TBM Azad from the ramp area near Swadeshi Cotton Mill. The launch took place on the ‘up-line’ towards Kanpur Central, marking the beginning of tunnel construction on the final 2.4 km stretch of Corridor 1.
This achievement follows the completion of tunnel construction from the ramp area at McRobertganj to Kanpur Central. Authorities now plan to extend the tunnel through a 2.4 km underground stretch from Kanpur Central Station to the ramp near Swadeshi Cotton Mill.
TBM Azad’s Assignment
Initially, TBM Azad nicknamed S-640B will build a 95-meter-long tunnel. During this phase, the Backup System Unit or control room of the machine, where all the supporting systems of the machine are located, will operate from outside the shaft.
Previous Assignment
TBM Azad was commissioned as the third TBM for the Kanpur Metro Phase 1 project. For its first assignment, it constructed about 1250m long underground tunnel on the up-line from Kanpur Central Station to Nayaganj Station.
UPMRC Managing Director Shri Sushil Kumar stated Kanpur Metro has launched the ‘Azad’ TBM machine to construct an ‘up-line’ tunnel from the ramp area near Swadeshi Cotton Mill to Kanpur Central Metro Station. In the coming days ‘Vidyarthi TBM machine will also be launched to complete the ‘downline’ tunnel of this stretch. Upon completion of both tunnels in this stretch, the tunnelling for Corridor-1 will be finished. I am delighted that the Kanpur Metro team is successfully executing the challenging task of tunnel construction beneath one of the city’s most congested and busiest areas. To optimize efficiency, our team is concurrently constructing tracks and stations and installing systems with seamless coordination. We are confident that this momentum will persist in completing all civil construction works for the Balance section of Corridor-1 as per plan.’
Efficient Time-Saving with ‘Dragging’ Method Implementation
As per the UPMRC press release, once launched, the ‘Azad’ TBM machine will build an underground tunnel all the way to the retrieval shaft at Kanpur Central. This process is unique because there are two stations along the route to Kanpur Central. Instead of retrieving and relaunching the TBM machine at Transport Nagar and Jhakarkati stations, it will be transported inside the stations using a ‘Dragging’ method. Typically, machines are not dragged through underground metro stations; instead, they are retrieved from one end via a retrieval shaft and relaunched from the opposite end’s launching shaft. Implementing this method significantly saves time.
Kanpur Metro Phase 1
Presently, Kanpur Metro commercial services are operational on a 9 km Priority Corridor (IIT-Motijheel) under approximately 24 km long Corridor-1 (IIT-Naubasta). Apart from the Chunniganj-Nayaganj and Kanpur Central-Transport Nagar underground sections, construction work is also progressing rapidly in the approximately 5 km-long Baradevi-Naubasta elevated section. The construction work of both sections of the approximately 8.60 km long Corridor-2 (CSA-Barra 8) has also commenced.
