'Vidyarthi' TBM Launched for Tunnel Construction in Kanpur.

The ‘Vidyarthi’ tunnel boring machine (TBM) was officially launched on Monday to construct a tunnel on the downline of a 2.40 km stretch between Swadeshi Cotton Mill and Kanpur Central as part of Corridor-1 (IIT-Naubasta) of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project. This development comes as another TBM, named ‘Azad,’ is already in operation on the up-line of the same stretch, allowing for simultaneous construction of both tunnels in this final underground section of Corridor-1.

The ‘Azad’ TBM has successfully completed its initial drive on the up-line and has now begun its main drive after being connected to the backup system unit. To facilitate operations, a locomotive has been deployed to transport ring segments to the TBM within the under-construction tunnel.

Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of the UP Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC), remarked, “Kanpur Metro has launched the ‘Vidyarthi’ TBM on the downline for the construction of a tunnel from the ramp area near Swadeshi Cotton Mill to Kanpur Central Metro Station. Once both tunnels on this stretch are completed, the tunneling work for Corridor-1 will be finalized.”

Currently, Kanpur Metro services are operational on the 9 km Priority Corridor (IIT-Motijheel), which is part of the approximately 24 km long Corridor-1 (IIT-Naubasta).

ET