The Indore Metro project has entered a new phase of underground construction with the successful launch of its first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named ‘Narmada’, at the airport-area shaft. The machine will be used to construct the underground metro tunnel between Airport and Bada Ganpati, marking a major step in the city’s underground metro works.

The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) launched the TBM after completing its assembly and lowering process at the shaft. The operation involved specialised heavy-lifting equipment capable of handling more than 1,000 metric tonnes.

410-Tonne TBM Lowered Into Shaft

The TBM ‘Narmada’ weighs approximately 410 metric tonnes. Because of its size and weight, the machine was first assembled at ground level before being lowered into the underground shaft.

Engineers used a Megalift System and Strand Jack Assembly for the operation. The lifting arrangement has a capacity of more than 1,000 metric tonnes, providing the required support to lower the massive machine safely into position.

The shaft-lowering operation was one of the key technical stages before the TBM can begin underground excavation.

Airport-Bada Ganpati Section to Get Underground Tunnel

Once operational, TBM ‘Narmada’ will undertake tunnel boring work on the Airport-Bada Ganpati underground section of the Indore Metro.

TBMs are designed to excavate and support tunnels underground while limiting disruption at the surface. Their use is particularly important in densely populated urban areas, where conventional excavation could interfere more extensively with traffic, buildings and other surface activities.

The launch therefore marks the transition from preparatory underground work towards the actual tunnel construction phase.

MPMRCL MD Inspects Launch Operation

MPMRCL Managing Director S. Krishna Chaitanya was present at the site during the TBM launch and inspected the operation.

He congratulated the engineering team and metro officials involved in completing the technically demanding process. The successful lowering of the machine required coordination between engineering, lifting and construction teams.

A Multi-Stage Engineering Operation

Launching a large TBM into an underground shaft involves several stages, including machine assembly, lifting, controlled lowering and positioning.

In the case of ‘Narmada’, the machine was assembled on the surface before being moved into the shaft using specialised equipment. The use of the Megalift System and Strand Jack Assembly enabled engineers to manage the weight of the equipment during the lowering operation.

The next stage will involve positioning the TBM and preparing it for tunnel-boring operations.

Underground Metro Work Gains Momentum

The launch of the first TBM represents an important milestone for Indore Metro’s underground corridor. With the machine now lowered into the shaft, construction teams can move towards the next phase of excavation and tunnel development.

The underground section is expected to play an important role in extending the metro network through parts of the city where surface-level construction would be more disruptive.

For the Indore Metro project, the launch of ‘Narmada’ is therefore not only the deployment of a major piece of construction equipment but also the beginning of a new phase in the city’s underground metro infrastructure development.