L&T Lowers Patna Metro’s 3rd TBM at Gandhi Maidan Station

Larsen & Toubro on Wednesday lowered their 3rd of four tunnel boring machines at Gandhi Maidan for 30.91 km Patna Metro Phase 1 project’s 8 km underground Package PC-03 (Rajendra Nagar – Patna Junction Railway Station).

This 6.65m diameter EPB machine by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (CRCHI) had passed factory acceptance tests in the spring of 2023 and arrived in Patna in July.

Its serial number remains unconfirmed to me, but it’s supposed to be either DZ1169 or DZ1170. If someone associated with the project is aware, then leave a comment below.

Photo by DMRC-Patna

The 450 MT machine was assembled as one-unit adjacent to the 52 foot deep launch shaft and lowered vertically into it as one-unit in 6 hours using a strand jack “mega lift” system.

This is similar to how L&T lowered the project’s first two machines, TBM Mahavir (DZ1090) and TBM Buddha (DZ1091), at Moin-ul-Haq Station earlier this year.

Photo by DMRC-Patna

Per the tunneling plan, this machine and another 4th machine will first bore a 966m long tunnel from Gandhi Maidan Station towards Akashvani Station.

PC-03: Patna Junction – Rajendra Nagar Ramp underground section – view Patna Metro information & route map

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had awarded L&T with 14.05 km Line-2’s Package PC-03’s Rs. 1989 crore contract in December 2021 with a 42 month deadline.

PC-03 will connect a ramp near Rajendra Nagar with Patna Junction Railway Station through TBM bored twin tunnels and 6 underground stations at Akashvani (formerly Dak Bungalow), Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University, Moin Ul Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar.

Some snaps of the machine going down the 32m x 25m wide shaft:

Photo by Md Sharique
Photo by DMRC-Patna
Photo by DMRC-Patna
Photo by DMRC-Patna

In the coming days, the machine will be moved horizontally on its cradle and lined up to head-wall’s eye-seal. Tunneling work for its initial drive is expected to start in November.

For more updates, check out the Patna section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

7 Responses to "L&T Lowers Patna Metro’s 3rd TBM at Gandhi Maidan Station"

  1. Rohit says:

    I am sure your followers would like to learn the operation of the TBM, from a operators/workers perspective, how the concrete rings are placed by the TBM etc. etc, after all the TBM not only drills but does so much more underground, life of the TBM operator underground risks, etc.
    You are doing a excellent job keep up the good work.

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Totally! On the site’s menu, I’ve linked a video which shows how segments are placed to build rings

      Menu > Misc. > Helpful Videos

      Reply
  2. Krishnan says:

    When is the full Phase I of Patna Metro, in your estimation and not fake political deadline, is going to be completed?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      At this time – 2028. Tender notices are still pending for rolling stock (train) contract and Line-1’s 8 km underground section connecting Patlipura Ramp – Mithapur Ramp.

      If they’re not published by mid 2024, then 2029.

      Reply
  3. Ravi Kumar says:

    Sefty officer me kam milega 7061476681

    Reply
  4. BISPAT says:

    Do we have any Indian TBM manufacturer? Or all are imported from European/Australian & Chinese companies?

    Reply

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