TBM Vidyarthi Begins Tunnelling to Kanpur Central

15 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Kanpur Metro project made significant progress as the Afcons-Sam India consortium launched the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Vidyarthi from the Transport Nagar station toward Kanpur Central on Line 1. This work is part of the underground package KNPCC-06, which connects Nayaganj Station with the Transport Nagar Ramp.

TBM S-639B, nicknamed Vidyarthi, is an Earth Pressure Balance machine manufactured by Herrenknecht. Commissioned in January 2024, it is the fourth TBM for Kanpur Metro Phase 1. TBM Vidyarthi's primary task is to construct a tunnel on the 23.78 km-long Line-1, linking IIT Kanpur to Naubasta.

In June 2024, TBM Vidyarthi completed its first assignment by constructing an underground tunnel about 1,250 meters long (down line) between Kanpur Central Station and Nayaganj Station. Following this, the machine undertook its second assignment, completing a 331-metre-long tunnel from the ramp near Swadesh Cotton Mills to Transport Nagar Station in November 2024. Currently, TBM Vidyarthi is working on its third assignment, constructing an underground tunnel from Transport Nagar Station to Kanpur Central Station via Jhakarkati.

The Afcons-Sam India consortium secured the underground Package KNPCC-06 from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) at a value of Rs 10.87 billion. The contract, which has a 36-month deadline, involves connecting Nayaganj Station and the Transport Nagar Ramp through three underground stations: Kanpur Central, Jhakarkatti, and Transport Nagar Station.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..