MUMBAI: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on 22nd April achieved 37th breakthrough at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Metro Station out of the total 41 breakthroughs planned for the 33.5 km long Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground line (Line-3) of Mumbai Metro.
The contract for this work under Package UGC-01 was awarded to the JV of Larsen & Toubro and Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company which operates Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Surya-2 for the construction of tunnels and four stations at Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate & Hutatama Chowk.
According to MMRC, TBM Surya-2 completed its final drive of 569 meters from Hutatma Chowk to CSMT Metro Station in 106 days using 418 concrete rings. With this 2.9 km long downline tunnel from Cuffe Parade to CSMT Metro Station is completed.
“Tunnelling in the heritage precinct, which is also in the close proximity to the sea, is a daunting task. MMRCL team of contractors, consultants, engineers and workers scientifically dealt the challenge successfully. I am happy that 96% of tunnelling has been completed in package-1 by ensuring the safety of the historical buildings”, said Mr. Ranjit Singh Deol, Managing Director, MMRC.
With this breakthrough, 52 km of tunneling is completed out of the total length of 54.5 km which is approximately 95% of the total project.
The issue regarding construction of car shed for Mumbai Metro Line-3 is still not resolved as the Bombay High Court is yet to decide whether the salt plan land in Kanjurmarg, where the metro depot is proposed to be constructed, belongs to the Centre or State.
