Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, In the first phase of the Surat Metro project, Tunnel Boring Machine S28B completed its first and final breakthrough at Chowk Bazar station. This TBM was launched at Surat Railway Station in April 2023 and, after traveling nearly 2.9 kilometers over almost three years, arrived at Chowk Bazar station, marking a milestone in the construction of the underground tunnel section.
This operation is part of Package CS3, with a scope of work covering the design and construction of the section from Surat Railway Station to the Chowk Bazar ramp area, spanning from chainage 7.16 km to 10.72 km. The section includes twin-bore underground tunnels, cut-and-cover portions, and three underground stations: entrances and exits at Chowk Bazar, Maskati Hospital, and Surat Railway Station. The project also involves cross passages constructed using the box pushing method, NATM sections, and launching and receiving chambers for the TBMs. J Kumar Infraprojects Limited was awarded the contract in January 2021.
The Surat Metro project is a significant urban rail transit initiative in Gujarat, with a total investment of ₹120.2 billion and a total length of 40.35 kilometers. It comprises two corridors: Corridor 1 is the 21.61 km long Sardhana-Dream City corridor, including a 6.47 km underground section; Corridor 2 is the 18.74 km long elevated Bhesan-Saroli corridor. The tunnel section completed by this TBM is a crucial component of the underground network.
During construction, the TBM had to navigate complex geological conditions, and the engineering team overcame numerous challenges. With the completion of S28B's mission, the section will now transition to station finishing and system installation phases. Upon completion, the Surat Metro project will significantly enhance the city's public transportation capacity and alleviate surface traffic pressure. The steady progress of the project reflects the stable development of urban rail transit construction in India. Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation is fully committed to advancing the remaining construction work to ensure the project becomes operational on schedule.
