TATA Projects has announced that the company has recently commenced work on the Pune Metro Underground line. The work commenced with the gigantic Tunnel Boring Machine being flagged off to start execution of its task from the Agriculture College grounds in Pune.It was witnessed by the top officials of MahaMetro and Tata Projects along with their respective project execution teams. The event also witnessed the first casting slab being signed by top-level officials before it was placed on the site.Vinayak Deshpande, Managing Director – Tata Projects said, ”We are proud to be executing the third underground metro package after Lucknow Metro & Mumbai Metro. This is also our seventh overall (underground & elevated) Metro package. Hence, we have garnered unmatched experience and expertise in the metro rail segment. Our execution teams are confident of overcoming all challenges and successfully delivering the project.”The gigantic Tunnel Boring Machine that has commenced work will dig at an approximate depth of between 65-feet to100-feet below the surface. The machine has a huge length of about 279 feet, including back-up gantry. While the cutter head does the boring and machine moves ahead – it has multiple hands that simultaneously places C shaped concrete sections throughout the tunnel. The Pune Metro Underground line runs from Shivajinagar to Swargate for about 8.2 kilometres and includes 5 stations. Package one of this underground line comprises two stations while package two includes three stations. Speaking about the project, Rahul Shah, COO – Urban Infrastructure, Tata Projects, said, “The commencement of work on this prestigious project that runs through one of the most densely populated areas of Pune is a landmark moment. Our teams are highly skilled and possess the vast experience to undertake a challenging project of this magnitude. We are certain that this project will transform the intracity transportation scenario upon completion by bringing it on par with global standards.”