Work on the Patna Metro Rail project is well underway

31 Mar 2023 CW Team

The Patna Metro Rail project's construction is currently in full swing. Once the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) named Mahavir was lowered at the Moin-Ul-Haq metro station with a 1,494 m drive length in the direction of Patna University station, it made a significant advancement. With this, the Patna Metro's tunnelling project officially starts. The TBM device will be used to complete the underground tunnelling project.

The TBM Mahavir weighs approximately 420 MT, which is equal to the weight of 60 elephants. Together with the backup gantries, it consists of a cutter head, front shield, middle shield, and tail shield. The TBM's main body is around 9 metres long, and its entire EPB is about 95 metres long. The excavation diameter is 6,650 mm, with the precast ring lining with an outer diameter of 6,350 mm and inner diameter of 5,800 mm. The Chinese Railway Construction Heavy Industrial Corporation Ltd. (CRCHI) designed and produced these TBM machines.

The TBM Mahavir bearing with serial number DZ1090 was first put together on the ground before being lowered into the cradle with the aid of Mega Lifts. Strand jacks with a combined lifting capability of 325 MT were used to raise it. The TBM at the metro station has been lowered using a total of four strand jacks. The cradle will be raised by the Mega lift and then pushed up to the TBM lowering point (Launching Shaft). After skidding, the TBM will be lowered into the shaft, which is approximately 16 m below ground level.

On February 17, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the projected Rs 133.65 billion Patna Metro rail project. It will have two corridors Danapur to Mithapur; and Patna Railway Station to New ISBT. After the Patna Metro project is finished, public transportation will be made easier in the city and its surrounding areas.

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