ITD Unearths Kolkata Metro’s TBMs Urvi & Chandi at Bowbazar

Workers from ITD Cementation have over the past month reached the bottom of Bowbazar Shaft to begin dismantling two tunnel boring machines that built a portion of Kolkata Metro’s east-west Line-2.

Both Ø6.65m Herrenknecht EPB sister machines are currently facing one another at Bowbazar where TBM Chandi (S-615), working on the west-bound down-line tunnel between Esplanade – Sealdah, came to an abrupt halt in August 2019 after it hit an aquifer which led to heavy soil displacement and collapse of several buildings.

Pending tunneling work of 800m was completed by TBM Urvi (S-616) with a historic final breakthrough for the entire 16.34 km line getting recorded in May 2021.

Indicative route of Line-2’s Esplanade – Sealdah section – view Kolkata Metro route map and information

Here are some snaps shot at different times over the past 30 days. Barring Urvi’s cutterhead, parts of Chandi (facing east towards Sealdah) are being pulled out first.

Urvi (top) and Chandi (bottom)
Urvi’s cutterhead about to be hoisted out
Westbound tunnel built by TBM Chandi
TBM Chandi and the rings it built getting dismantled

After both machines’ parts are removed, the base slab RCC flooring and roof work will be completed, and soil will be backfilled.

While the 2.1 km Phoolbagan – Sealdah section of Line-2 should open in Q2 2022, I see the rest of the line (Sealdah – Howrah Maidan) opening up no sooner than mid-2023 looking at the quantum of pending systems, architectural finishing, testing and other activities to go.

For more updates, check out the Kolkata section or my Home Page!

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

22 Responses to "ITD Unearths Kolkata Metro’s TBMs Urvi & Chandi at Bowbazar"

  1. Rupraj Sengupta says:

    At last after 28months

    Reply
  2. Subir k Mukhopadhyay says:

    Great achievement. Thanks to Afcons, ITD, KMRVL.

    Reply
  3. Pradyot. K. Chattsrjee says:

    Retrieving Two TBMs in difficult situation without affecting otherwise ready tunnel is challenging. Unless this work is completed service to Sealdah should not be started. ITD personal are doing a great job.

    Reply
  4. Pradyot. K. Chattsrjee says:

    Unless two TBM s are retrieved and tunnel is complete service to Sealdah should not be started. ITD personal are doing a great job.

    Reply
    • Amittabha Datta says:

      Sealdah station is ready for operations except CRS inspection and nod from railway board. Its operation will not effect Durga Pathuri shaft work and retreival of TBMs.

      Reply
  5. Amittabha Datta says:

    Thanks for the news and excellent pictures of the shaft and the two TBMs. Please keep us updated about the progress of the work at Durga Pathuri shaft. You are the only source of information about the work at Bowbazaar
    Amittabha Datta

    Reply
  6. Rana B Pal says:

    What is the latest status of the TBM retrival ?

    Reply
  7. Amittabha Datta says:

    Any latest news about Durga Pathuri. The last great news with pictures u posted was on December 20th.

    Reply
  8. Amittabha Datta says:

    Thanks for the reply. Eagerly looking forward for the snaps. Any idea when will the shaft work be completed.

    Reply
  9. Amittabha Datta says:

    Any latest news on Durga Pathuri shaft and also the snaps u had promised.
    Thanks

    Reply
  10. Amittabha Datta says:

    Thanks for the great pics on twitter. U are doing great work in giving railway, metro and transport related information. And about Durga Pithuri shaft work u can be said to be sole giver of information and most importantly with pics.

    Reply
  11. Amittabha Datta says:

    Any latest news or pictures about Durga Pathuri Shaft of East West metro.
    Thanks
    Amittabha Datta

    Reply
  12. KDB says:

    Can you explain by a proper drawing what exactly happened on 11th May, 2022, causing again the aquefiers to leak into tunnel and again cause building’s damage?

    Reply
  13. Amittabha Datta says:

    Yes according to reports, 11 pockets of water were entering the tunnel. 10 pockets has been sealed but 1 is still to be plugged. Please can u give us correct information what has happened.

    Reply
  14. Amittabha Datta says:

    Any latest information on the problems that happened in May at Durga Pathuri shaft of line 2, Green line, East West metro. Will be great if u could give some information.
    Thanks

    Reply
  15. Amittabha Datta says:

    Can u give information about the escape shaft being built at Durga Pathuri shaft at bowbazaar. Also about ground freezing technique being used to link the twin tunnels with the ventilation shaft.

    Reply
  16. Amittabha Datta says:

    Dear friend, any news about the Escape shaft being built at Durga Pathuri. Also commercial operations between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan which involves ride under river Ganges.

    Reply
  17. Amittabha Datta says:

    Dear friend any news about commercial operations
    between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan which involves ride under river Ganges.

    Reply

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