Latest news with #TunnelBoringMachine
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘No clear timeline for completion of Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line'
New Delhi: The exact timeline for the completion of the 125 km-long railway line between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag cannot be fixed, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha. In a written response to a question from BJP MP Baluni, he said sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process and exact timelines cannot be given. 'The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by state government, forest clearance by officials of forest department, deposition of cost share by state government in cost sharing projects, priority of projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic conditions etc,' he said. According to Vaishnaw, after firming up the Detailed Project Report, sanctioning of the project requires consultation with various stakeholders, including state governments and necessary approvals such as appraisal of NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance, etc. Vaishnaw said the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag project is a prestigious project of Indian Railways, which lies completely in the state of Uttarakhand and passes through difficult geological and challenging terrain of the Himalayas. 'This project is aimed at transforming connectivity in Uttarakhand. The project alignment passes through Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Chamoli Districts of Uttarakhand and will provide rail connectivity to Devprayag and Karnaprayag religious and tourist spots with Rishikesh and the national capital ,' he said. He added, 'The alignment of the project predominantly passes through tunnels. The project involves the construction of 16 main line tunnels of 105 km length, 12 escape tunnels of about 98 km length and 10 km of adits/cross passages. So far, 13 main line tunnels and nine escape tunnels have been completed.' Vaishnaw informed the House that 8 adits (openings) in various tunnels were also identified to increase the progress of work. 'Works of all eight adits have also been completed. Accordingly, tunnelling of 199 km against total scope of 213 km has been completed. For the first time in Indian Railways, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was deployed in the Himalayan geology for faster execution of works of longest tunnel (T-8) which is 14.8Km long. Breakthrough of twin tunnels through TBMs has been achieved,' Vaishnaw said. Highlighting environmental concerns, he said the tunnelling is being carried out with all precautions and latest technologies to ensure minimum damage to ecology and surroundings. 'The final location survey of Chardham Project- connectivity link to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath with Indian Railways has been completed. The project has two alignments -- Doiwala-Uttarkashi-Barkot which will serve Yamnotari and Gangotri shrines and Karnaprayag- Saikot- Sonprayag- Joshimath will serve Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines,' he added.
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
What is the latest status of Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new rail line project?
Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Line: The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new railway line is one of the prestigious projects undertaken by Indian Railways (IR). This new rail projects lies completely in Uttarakhand and passes through difficult geological and challenging terrain of Himalayas. On completion, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail link project will transform connectivity in the hilly state. The 125-km-long Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line passes through five districts of Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. This rail link project will provide connectivity to Devprayag and Karnaprayag religious and tourist spots with Rishikesh and Delhi. The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project alignment passes predominantly through tunnels. The project involves construction of 16 main line tunnels of 105 km length and 12 escape tunnels of about 98 km length. On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the construction of Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project is underway with the completion of 13 main line tunnels and nine escape tunnels. He also added that to increase progress of works, eight Adits have also been identified in various tunnels. 'So far, 13 main line tunnels and 9 escape tunnels have been completed. To increase progress of works, 08 Adits in various tunnels were also identified. These adits created additional work faces of tunnel excavation expediting early completion of long tunnels. Works of all 8 Adits have also been completed,' Vaishnaw said. The Union Minister further said that tunneling works of 199 km has been completed. 'Accordingly, tunneling of 199 Km against total scope of 213 Km has been completed. For the first time in Indian Railways, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was deployed in the Himalayan Geology for faster execution of works of longest tunnel (T-8) which is 14.8Km long. B Breakthrough of this tunnel through TBM has been achieved. The tunneling is being carried out with all precautions and latest technologies to ensure minimum damage to ecology and surrounding,' he added. Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read More
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt to opt for drill & blast method to resume work on SLBC tunnel
Hyderabad: The Telangana govt has decided to resume work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), which was halted in Feb following the collapse of the tunnel roof, using the drill and controlled blast (D&B) method on both ends of the project. The roof collapse incident claimed the lives of eight people, with the bodies of six yet to be retrieved. Of the total 44 km SLBC tunnel, approximately 14 km of work had been completed from the Domalapenta end, where the roof collapse occurred, and 21 km of work had been completed from the Dindi side. The remaining stretch to be completed is about 9 km. The govt used a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on both ends to excavate the tunnel, which is meant to supply water for fluoride and drought-prone areas of Nalgonda and other surrounding regions. "After exploring multiple options, the technical committee on SLBC recommended that the drill and blast (D&B) method be used for the remaining work. With this, the work can be completed without any major hurdles. It is also more flexible and cost-effective. In a controlled blast, the rock and other conditions can be assessed beforehand," Col Parikshit Mehra, a tunnel expert from Border Road Organisation, who is overseeing the SLBC tunnelling works, told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists: Teaspoon On an Empty Stomach Slims Waist from 36 To 22 Health Wellness Journal Learn more Undo The state govt roped him on deputation from the ministry of defence exclusively for the SLBC works. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Stating that the groundwork has already begun, he said that D&B operations would begin in another two months, and the tunnel work is expected to be completed in two and a half years. Apart from the D&B method, the new Austrian Tunnelling Method will be used to assess the ground situation while carrying out the works in the tunnel. Officials estimate that the drill and blast method would cost Rs 100 crore per km, i.e, around Rs 900 crore for the remaining stretch. However, for TBM, the total cost would be around Rs 2,000 crore, which is almost double. As the govt has decided to use the D&B method to dig the tunnel, the govt has decided to dismantle the TBM machine located towards the Dindi end. The TBM machine on the Domalapenta end was completely damaged during the roof collapse and was removed as part of the rescue operations. Meanwhile, the tunnel work will now be rerouted in a U-shape from the left side of the existing tunnel, starting 100 metres behind the collapsed section.
India Today
29-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Delhi Metro achieves major milestone: Tunnel completed on golden line. Know more
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has marked another landmark moment in its ongoing Phase 4 project. A major underground tunnelling achievement was celebrated today as the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) broke through at the Tughlakabad Railway Colony site. This forms a crucial part of the upcoming Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor, which is expected to boost connectivity across South Delhi and breakthrough occurred after the TBM completed boring a 0.792-kilometre-long tunnel between Tughlakabad and Tughlakabad Railway Colony. Senior officials, including Sh. Naveen Gulati, Member (Infrastructure) of the Railway Board, was present for the event. The civil contractor for this project, M/s Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., executed the tunnelling using a 91-metre-long corridor is being developed with two parallel circular tunnels to accommodate both up and down metro movements. This design ensures smoother operations and efficiency in future metro services along the TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY IN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION The tunnel was constructed at an average depth of 18 meters using the Earth Pressure Balancing Method (EPBM), a cutting-edge technology that ensures stability and safety in variable soil conditions. Over 559 tunnel rings, each with an inner diameter of 5.8 meters, have been installed. These precast concrete rings were manufactured at a fully mechanised casting yard in Mundka and steam-cured to gain rapid DISRUPTION TO SURFACE STRUCTURESTo avoid damage to above-ground buildings, ground movements during tunnelling were closely monitored using high-precision instruments. This approach ensured zero settlement and structural safety across the densely built-up Tughlakabad area. PHASE 4 TO SEE OVER 40 KM OF UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTIONAs part of the ongoing Phase 4 expansion, DMRC is constructing 40.109 kilometres of underground tracks. The Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor alone includes 19.343 kilometres of these underground tunnels, which will significantly reduce travel times once THE HEART OF MODERN URBAN TUNNELLINGTunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have transformed the tunnelling landscape worldwide. These giant machines can bore through various soil types and rock formations, making them ideal for underground projects in congested cities. Delhi Metro has relied on TBMs since Phase 1 and ramped up their usage in Phase 3, where about 30 TBMs were deployed to construct nearly 50 kilometres of successful tunnelling milestone not only underscores DMRC's technical capabilities but also brings the city one step closer to enhanced mobility. With safety, precision, and sustainability at its core, the Delhi Metro continues to push boundaries and set benchmarks in urban infrastructure.- EndsTrending Reel
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
54 containers carrying parts for Goregaon Mulund Link Road arrive from Japan
The ambitious Rs 6,500 crore Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) is set to witness a key threshold as at least 54 trailers comprising parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which will bore the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project's twin tunnels, have arrived from Japan into Mumbai. With the final consignment of the first TBM slated to arrive by next month the work on the tunnel with a diameter of 14.5 metre will begin. GMLR's twin TBM tunnels will be amongst the widest road tunnel projects undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Pegged at a cost of nearly Rs. 6500 crore, the GMLR is an ambitious project which aims to alleviate congestion by linking Goregaon in the western suburbs to Mulund in the eastern suburbs. A crucial part of the GMLR project are the 6.65-km long twin tunnels which will start from Film City in the western suburbs and open near Mulund's Amar Junction, which currently houses a huge slum pocket. The GMLR tunnels will surpass the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), covering a complex topography of hillocks, forest and farmlands. The twin tunnels will be built using two TBM machines, which will commence boring from the launching shaft in Film City. Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) confirmed with The Indian Express that trailers containing parts of the first TBM machine started arriving from Japan in late March, this year. 'A total of 77 containers carrying parts of the first TBM machine will be arriving in the city. We received the first consignment on March 25. As many as 54 containers have already arrived and the balance of 23 containers will be received in the coming month,' said Bangar. According to officials, the remaining parts of the TBM machine are expected to arrive by August 15. Arriving from Japan, the containers are being unloaded at the JNPT port from where the consignments are being ferried in trailers up to the worksite. The parts of the first TBM will be assembled over a period of four months, after all the containers are received. Gearing up for the process, the civic body is currently undertaking piling works at the Goregaon work site at the launch shaft where the TBM tunnels will be lowered. Meanwhile, the consignments on the second TBM machine is slated to arrive in the city from December 2025. Raking beneath the SNGP, the TBMs are slated to dig a 5.30-kilometre tunnel before finally achieving its breakthrough at Mulund's Amar Nagar Junction, where the other end of the tunnel is proposed to open. Of the total 6.65-km tunnel length, nearly 1.35 km will be made up the approach roads and the box-tunnel, while nearly 5.30 km will comprise the portion dug by the tunnel boring machine.
