Surya-1 Makes Final Breakthrough for Mumbai Metro Line-3’s UGC-01

Besides the start of trial runs on Line-2A and Line-7, another signficant milestone was recorded today!

Moments ago, Tunnel Boring Machine Surya-1 operated by Larsen & Toubro – Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company JV arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Mumbai Metro’s 33.5 km Line-3 (Aqua Line).

This was L&T-STEC JV’s 8th and final breakthough for the 4.25 km Package UGC-01’s tunnels between Cuffe Parade and CSMT. Overall, this was Line-3’s 38th of 42 planned TBM breakthroughs.

This Robbins Crossover XRE TBM (XRE2114-408) had recorded a breakthrough in November at Hutatma Chowk Station’s southern-end from Churchgate, and was then dragged to its northern-end through the 233 meter long station box using hydraulic jacks.

It was then re-commissioned for its 4th assignment on December 31 on its 4th assignment towards CSMT (or CST) Station to build its final 551 meter long tunnel for Line-3’s up-line.

Package UGC-01: Cuffe Parade – CST – view Mumbai Metro Aqua Line route map & info
Completion of core cutting this weekend
Done!

With this development, here’s a recap of Package UGC-01 between Cuffe Parade and CST / CSMT stations where all tunneling works are now over.

This table is best viewed on a desktop device –

TBMLineFromToDistanceStatus
1UpCuffe ParadeVidhan Bhavan1128mCompleted
1UpVidhan BhavanChurchgate498mCompleted
1UpChurchgateHutatma Chowk649mCompleted
1UpHutatma ChowkCST551mCompleted (this post!)
2DownCuffe ParadeVidhan Bhavan1254mCompleted
2DownVidhan BhavanChurchgate481mCompleted
2DownChurchgateHutatma Chowk653mCompleted
2DownHutatma ChowkCST556mCompleted

Tunneling works on 6 out of 7 underground civil packages have been wrapped up –

  • UGC-01: Cuffe Parade – CST (4.25 km) – Final breakthrough recorded by TBM Surya-1 today!
  • UGC-02: CST – Mumbai Central (4.049 km) – Final breakthrough recorded by TBM T59 (Vaitarna-2) in April 2020
  • UGC-04: Worli – Dharavi (6.08 km) – Final breakthrough recorded by TBM S1073 (Krishna-1) in December 2020
  • UGC-05: Dharavi – MVS near CSIA T1 (4.94 km) – Final breakthrough recorded by TBM S64 (Godavari-4) in August 2020
  • UGC-06: Santa Cruz MVS – CSIA T2 (4.45km) – Final breakthrough recorded by T62 (Tapi 2) in February 2021
  • UGC-07: CSIA T2 – Sariput Ramp (4.157 km) – Final breakthrough recorded by TBM D213 (Wainganga-2) in December 2019.

Roughly 95% of Mumbai Metro Line-3’s tunneling has been completed and now just 2 TBMs are actively tunneling from an all time high of 17.

A total of 38 breakthroughs have been recorded so far with the following 4 pending on UGC-03. Both Robbins machines have been struggling on this section with frequent interventions and replacement of parts required.

I will add both machines’ progress when available.

PackageSectionDistance, Status
UGC-03Science Museum – Mahalaxmi (up-line)1118m, In Progress
UGC-03Mahalaxmi – Mumbai Central (up-line)837m, Not Started
UGC-03Science Museum – Mahalaxmi (down-line)1136m, In Progress
UGC-03Mahalaxmi – Mumbai Central (down-line)830m, Not Started

For more updates, check out my Home Page!

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

8 Responses to "Surya-1 Makes Final Breakthrough for Mumbai Metro Line-3’s UGC-01"

  1. Dd says:

    Metro without depot

    Reply
  2. Rupraj Sengupta says:

    Fascinating progress inspite all odds.

    Reply
  3. Swapnil says:

    When would the tunneling for the remaining 2 tbm be completed? What are the problems arising for the tunneling for this tbm?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Some time in mid-2022. Geology isn’t supportive and there are definitely some inefficiencies on the part of the contractor. I don’t think they (all stakeholders) necessarily care at this time as the depot’s construction is now the long pole and will take more time (~2 years from the start of works)

      Reply
  4. Aninda says:

    Metro with no depot……

    Reply
  5. Karan says:

    When will the Metro 3 Car shed come up? Any progress?? Will it come up at Aarey or Kanjurmarg????

    Reply

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