Bengaluru’s tunnel borer `Varada’ completes its innings

12 Sep 2022 CW Team

After 517 days of drilling for the Bengaluru metro, tunnel boring machine (TBM) `Varada’ completed its job on Friday. It completed its second tunnel of 596 metres length to attain a breakthrough at the upcoming Langford metro station. It has been dismantled and taken off duty, while eight TBMs will continue work on the 13.8-km underground corridor for the Nagawara-Kalena Agrahara Line.

The drilling of the second leg, parallel to the first leg and in the same direction from Rashtriya Military School (Vellara Junction) to Langford, began on January 27.

Varada faced the hurdles of very hard rock and mixed face during its journey and emerged successful. It would be the first TBM to wind up its assigned work and leave the underground portion.

Varada, procured from Herrenknecht in Germany, had a rest period of over two months after completing one round and beginning the next. Afcons Infrastructure has been contracted with the job by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). Fortunately, since the work was completely underground inside a tunnel, the rains that lashed Bengaluru did not impact the work, officials said.

While Urja and Vindhya have completed two tunnels, they are tunnelling a third leg too. Varada has only been planned for two tunnels. All the other TBMs are presently in different stages of tunnelling across Reach-6.

Infrastructure Urban

29 Oct 2025

Designing Tomorrow: Amaravati’s Net Zero Landmark

Amaravati has achieved a defining landmark in India’s sustainable infrastructure journey with the inauguration of the APCRDA Project Office, the nation’s first government building to earn the IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating – Design Stage. Conceptualised by the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) and certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the project exemplifies how governance, design and innovation can converge to deliver measurable environmental impact.A vision rooted in sustainabilitySet within a 4.3-acre site along the Seed Access Road in the Amar..

Pidilite Elevates Construction with PPS

Pidilite Industries introduced Pidilite Professional Solutions (PPS) — a dedicated vertical for the construction and interiors ecosystem — at ACETECH Bengaluru 2025. Designed to empower architects, developers, contractors, and interior specialists, PPS delivers comprehensive support that extends far beyond products to ensure project excellence from concept to completion. Kavinder Singh, Joint Managing Director, Pidilite Industries, noted, “At Pidilite, we believe in enabling the construction fraternity to build boldly and sustainably. With Pidilite Professional Solutions (PPS),..

Punjab, Centre Fast-Track Rajpura-Mohali Rail Line Development

The central government has fast-tracked the construction of the Rajpura-Mohali rail line to enhance connectivity in Punjab. This ambitious infrastructure project, aimed at improving transportation links between Rajpura and Mohali, has been identified as a key step in fostering regional economic growth. Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the project’s acceleration during a recent assessment of the area. The rail line is expected to play a significant role in reducing travel time, promoting industrial growth, and boosting logistics efficiency in the region. The project,..