A crucial milestone in India’s first high-speed rail corridor is set to be achieved as a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai. The machine will play a key role in executing the ambitious 21-km underground tunnel section within the city.
Weighing nearly 3,000 tonnes, the TBM—manufactured by Herrenknecht—is designed for large-scale tunnel excavation. Its arrival marks significant progress in advancing the underground works of the high-speed rail corridor.
According to sources, the equipment is being transported from China aboard the LOA Fortune, which departed from Guangzhou last month.
“The ship carrying two TBMs is likely to arrive at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal on March 23 around 10 pm. It left Guangzhou on March 7, reached Chennai, and departed on April 18. Two of its parts — the cutter wheel and tail shield — have already reached the site. After the ship arrives, its parts will be transported by trailers to two sites, Vikhroli and Savali, to begin further excavation. Of the 21-km tunnel, 4.88 km has already been completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, which involves blasting, while the finishing work is ongoing. The remaining excavation will now be carried out by TBM,” said a source.
The TBM’s deployment is expected to accelerate tunnelling work, particularly for the remaining underground stretch. So far, a portion of the tunnel has been completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a conventional excavation technique involving controlled drilling and blasting.
Once operational, the TBM will enable faster and more efficient excavation, reducing construction timelines and enhancing precision. The arrival and assembly of the machine signal a transition from conventional tunnelling methods to advanced mechanised techniques, pushing the project closer to completion.
Source: The Indian Express
