L&T’s Pakal Dul HEP TBM Askini Starts Tunneling Work

Larsen & Toubro in April commissioned tunnel boring machine (TBM) Askini – their 2nd Herrenknecht machine for constructing head-race tunnels of the 1000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Jammu & Kashmir.

Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project by Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPPL) is under construction in Drangdhuran, Kishtwar District at an estimated cost of Rs. 8112.12 crore. The project’s foundation stone was laid in May 2018, and upon completion in 2027 it will become the first storage project and the biggest hydroelectric project in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

The project will feature a 167 m deep Concrete Face Rock-fill Dam (CFRD), two circular 9.6 km long head race tunnels (7.5 km excavated by each TBM), and a 263m long main access tunnel (MAT).

L&T had commissioned their first Double Shield TBM named Marsu (S-1294A) in July 2023.

Assembly for their second TBM named Askini (vedic name for Chenab river) started in April 2023. Like Marsu, Askini also features a 180 ton 8.24m diameter Indian-flag themed cutterhead.

Here are some snaps of Askini shot over the past year:

Photos and details of TBM Marsu can be viewed here. Each tunnel built by Marsu and Askini will have a 7.20m finished diameter made using concrete segments of 400mm thickness.

L&T is chasing a 54 month completion deadline and their scope also includes design and construction of a permanent bridge with a 110m long over River Chenab.

A contract for the project’s underground power house, which will feature four 250MW Francis turbines and generators, was awarded to Afcons – JAL JV in February 2018 by CVPPL.

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– TMRG