Automation helps precise work on metro tunnels

In May 2011, when work for the first underground tunnel for a train in South India was launched, there was more apprehension among Bangaloreans than curiosity.

As the Namma Metro tunneling work between Majestic bus station and cricket stadium, which is part of the East-West corridor, progressed, building owners along the tunnel route via Kempe Gowda Road, Mysore Bank Circle, Old Post Office Road, K R Circle, Dr Ambedkar Veedhi and so on, had doubts about the possible damage to their properties with mega tunnel boring machines (TBMs) operating below.

This is the 17th month since the TBMs started work 60 feet below the ground and around two km of corridor length has been covered along the East-West line. As promised, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has carried out the work with all necessary precautions. Till date, no damage has been done to any property along the route, despite hard rocks and rough terrain disrupting the tunneling operations every now and then.

When the Deccan Herald team visited the site of the ongoing tunnel works, between Sir M Visvesvaraya station near Central College campus and the Vidhana Soudha station, the TBM Margarita was busy boring the ground below the K R Circle stretch.
Another TBM, Helen, was way ahead boring below the area near MS Building.