Latest news with #TBMs
Time of India
3 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Raj Bhavan nod for underground 1.6 km stretch of Purple Line
1 2 3 Kolkata: Following Raj Bhavan's clearance, RVNL has completed survey of the Purple line's 1.6 km extension to Eden Gardens. The metro tracks will travel through the edge of the Governor House lawns before crossing over to the opposite flank where the corridor's fifth underground station is being planned. Rarely do agencies seek the governor's approval for surveys that are prerequisites to drawing a new Metro route. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), the implementing agency of the Purple line, which is being extended 1.6 km beyond Esplanade and 1.2 km on the southern fringes to IIM-Calcutta, has now finished the topographical survey. needed to finalize the alignment of the proposed Eden Gardens metro line. "Such surveys are typically conducted to ensure the project is feasible and well-planned. They help in understanding the terrain, soil conditions, and other relevant factors crucial to determining the alignment, construction methods, and overall project cost," said an engineer. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "The survey was done to understand the status above and under the ground in the metro path of the 1.6 km beyond Esplanade to Eden Gardens. The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will curve past the East-West Metro (Green line) Esplanade station, cross over to Raj Bhavan's edge (covering around 250 m of the garden area) before curving across the road to the Eden Gardens station, which will come up on the site opposite Gate No 1. Based on the survey, the best (shortest) alignment will be mapped out," a Railways official said. RVNL intends to deploy the same TBMs, Durga and Divya, being used for the construction of the 1.7 km Kidderpore-Victoria Memorial section. The borers will be launched again for the second drive (950 m from Victoria Memorial to Park Street). The 640 m from Park Street to Esplanade will be built in cut-and-cover method (building tunnels inside underground trenches) since most of this stretch is free of infringement. From Esplanade, the TBMs will be launched for the third time to burrow and build the 1.6 km to Eden Gardens station. This section, too, has no overhead structures. TOI on Jan 12 had reported that " Kolkata metro plans to extend Joka-Esplanade Purple Line to Eden Gardens." By extending the Purple line to Eden Gardens, Metro Railway is looking to draw passengers from the BBD Bag area, offices on Strand Road, Babughat and Calcutta High Court. Sports enthusiasts can simply walk to the proposed Eden Gardens station to access the city's lifeline or the North-South (Blue) corridor, by availing the Esplanade interchange. The earlier plan was to link Eden Gardens to Esplanade by a long subway.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tenders invited for 16.7 km Twin Tunnel Project linking Hebbal and Silk Board
Amid mounting criticism, B-SMILE, a special purpose vehicle, has floated global tenders for the proposed Twin Tunnel Road between Esteem Mall Junction in north Bengaluru's Hebbal and Silk Board Junction in the southern part of the city. The project will be executed in two segments. According to the tender notice, issued by the Superintending Engineer of B-SMILE, the construction period has been set at 50 months, equivalent to four years and two months. If completed on schedule, Bengaluru residents can expect access to the tunnel road by the end of 2029. Despite opposition from sections of citizens and the Opposition party, the stated aim of the tunnel project is to reduce congestion and address connectivity woes. BOOT model The project will be carried out under the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, with a total concession period of 34 years. This includes the 50-month construction period, during which the contracted companies will develop the infrastructure and subsequently operate and maintain it. The first package will cover 8.748 km between Esteem Mall Junction and Seshadri Road, Race Course Junction. The second package will cover 8.748 km from Seshadri Road to Silk Board junction. Each stretch will include two separate tunnels, each with three lanes, featuring entry and exit points along the route. As previously reported by The Hindu, at least eight Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be deployed for the construction. The estimated cost for Package 1 is ₹8,770 crore, requiring a financial guarantee of ₹43.85 crore from the selected contractor. Package 2 is estimated at ₹8,928 crore, with a required financial guarantee of ₹44.64 crore. The tender document specifies that only contractors registered with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or equivalent registrations with agencies such as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Karnataka Public Works Department (KPWD), Railways, Military Engineering Services (MES), National Highway Authority, or other state government bodies are eligible to apply. The technical bids for the project are scheduled to open on September 3.
Malaysia Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
ECRL mega rail project marks another milestone with breakthrough of Genting Tunnel
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a mega rail project in Malaysia being built by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), marked another key milestone on Saturday with the breakthrough of the 16.39-kilometer Genting Tunnel. The breakthrough represents a significant achievement in itself, situated beneath more than 750 meters of mountainous terrain, the company said in a statement following a ceremony to mark the occasion. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who officiated the ceremony, told a press briefing that the breakthrough also highlights the successful cooperation between the two countries in the field of railway engineering. "The ECRL is also touted as a 'game changer' for the movement of passengers and freight in Peninsular Malaysia, as this rail infrastructure will link state capitals, major urban centres, industrial hubs, seaports, airports, and tourism zones while interchanging with existing railway lines along the ECRL corridor," he added. "The Genting Tunnel breakthrough also signals the completion of excavation works for all 41 ECRL tunnels along the 665-km alignment. This major milestone highlights the strong collaboration and dedication among ECRL personnel at all levels in carrying out tunnel excavation works with meticulous planning and robust safety protocols," Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chief Executive Officer Darwis Abdul Razak noted. Located within the Titiwangsa mountain range, the Genting Tunnel was the most technically challenging of the 41 tunnels constructed along the ECRL alignment, being constructed with the use of advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and drill-and-blast techniques in highly complex and varied geological conditions. Explaining the challenges of working under these conditions and the use of high-technology methods to overcome them, Chen Jianfeng, deputy general manager of CCCC Second Highway Engineering Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that China's TBM technology is among the world's most advanced and well-suited to handle these challenges. "The Genting Tunnel has highly complex geological conditions, including water ingress, rock bursts, soft surrounding rock, and six fault zones along the alignment. Due to these challenges, we chose the TBM method, which offers greater safety, stability, and efficiency for tunneling under such difficult conditions," he said. He also emphasized that the Chinese side has worked well with the Malaysian side to share knowledge and integrate processes, not only by bringing in advanced machinery and expertise but also by incorporating localization. "Throughout the construction process in Malaysia, we have placed strong emphasis on localization while continuously working towards the integration of Chinese and Malaysian standards -- a key focus of our efforts. During the project, we incorporated a wide range of local Malaysian elements and actively nurtured local talent," he said. "Many Malaysian technical personnel have been sent to China for training. Looking ahead, the ECRL will be operated through a joint China-Malaysia partnership, with both parties working together as part of an integrated operation and maintenance team," he added. With the completion of all tunnelling works, the ECRL project now moves into its next phase, which includes track installation, electrification, signaling and communication systems, as well as station interior fit-outs. All works remain on schedule and aligned with the project's master timeline. The ECRL extends from Malaysia's largest transport hub, Port Klang, and runs across the peninsula to the northeastern Kelantan state. The railway is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast.
Malaysia Sun
13-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Feature: ECRL mega rail project marks another milestone with breakthrough of Genting Tunnel
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a mega rail project in Malaysia being built by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), marked another key milestone on Saturday with the breakthrough of the 16.39-kilometer Genting Tunnel. The breakthrough represents a significant achievement in itself, situated beneath more than 750 meters of mountainous terrain, the company said in a statement following a ceremony to mark the occasion. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who officiated the ceremony, told a press briefing that the breakthrough also highlights the successful cooperation between the two countries in the field of railway engineering. "The ECRL is also touted as a 'game changer' for the movement of passengers and freight in Peninsular Malaysia, as this rail infrastructure will link state capitals, major urban centres, industrial hubs, seaports, airports, and tourism zones while interchanging with existing railway lines along the ECRL corridor," he added. "The Genting Tunnel breakthrough also signals the completion of excavation works for all 41 ECRL tunnels along the 665-km alignment. This major milestone highlights the strong collaboration and dedication among ECRL personnel at all levels in carrying out tunnel excavation works with meticulous planning and robust safety protocols," Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chief Executive Officer Darwis Abdul Razak noted. Located within the Titiwangsa mountain range, the Genting Tunnel was the most technically challenging of the 41 tunnels constructed along the ECRL alignment, being constructed with the use of advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and drill-and-blast techniques in highly complex and varied geological conditions. Explaining the challenges of working under these conditions and the use of high-technology methods to overcome them, Chen Jianfeng, deputy general manager of CCCC Second Highway Engineering Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that China's TBM technology is among the world's most advanced and well-suited to handle these challenges. "The Genting Tunnel has highly complex geological conditions, including water ingress, rock bursts, soft surrounding rock, and six fault zones along the alignment. Due to these challenges, we chose the TBM method, which offers greater safety, stability, and efficiency for tunneling under such difficult conditions," he said. He also emphasized that the Chinese side has worked well with the Malaysian side to share knowledge and integrate processes, not only by bringing in advanced machinery and expertise but also by incorporating localization. "Throughout the construction process in Malaysia, we have placed strong emphasis on localization while continuously working towards the integration of Chinese and Malaysian standards -- a key focus of our efforts. During the project, we incorporated a wide range of local Malaysian elements and actively nurtured local talent," he said. "Many Malaysian technical personnel have been sent to China for training. Looking ahead, the ECRL will be operated through a joint China-Malaysia partnership, with both parties working together as part of an integrated operation and maintenance team," he added. With the completion of all tunnelling works, the ECRL project now moves into its next phase, which includes track installation, electrification, signaling and communication systems, as well as station interior fit-outs. All works remain on schedule and aligned with the project's master timeline. The ECRL extends from Malaysia's largest transport hub, Port Klang, and runs across the peninsula to the northeastern Kelantan state. The railway is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast.
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
ECRL marks another milestone with breakthrough of Genting tunnel
KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a mega rail project in Malaysia being built by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), marked another key milestone on Saturday with the breakthrough of the 16.39-kilometre Genting Tunnel, Xinhua reported. The breakthrough represents a significant achievement in itself, situated beneath more than 750 meters of mountainous terrain, the company said in a statement following a ceremony to mark the occasion. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who officiated the ceremony, told a press briefing that the breakthrough also highlights the successful cooperation between the two countries in the field of railway engineering. "The ECRL is also touted as a 'game changer' for the movement of passengers and freight in Peninsular Malaysia, as this rail infrastructure will link state capitals, major urban centres, industrial hubs, seaports, airports, and tourism zones while interchanging with existing railway lines along the ECRL corridor," he added. "The Genting Tunnel breakthrough also signals the completion of excavation works for all 41 ECRL tunnels along the 665-km alignment. This major milestone highlights the strong collaboration and dedication among ECRL personnel at all levels in carrying out tunnel excavation works with meticulous planning and robust safety protocols," Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chief Executive Officer Darwis Abdul Razak noted. Located within the Titiwangsa mountain range, the Genting Tunnel was the most technically challenging of the 41 tunnels constructed along the ECRL alignment, being constructed with the use of advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and drill-and-blast techniques in highly complex and varied geological conditions. Explaining the challenges of working under these conditions and the use of high-technology methods to overcome them, Chen Jianfeng, deputy general manager of CCCC Second Highway Engineering Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that China's TBM technology is among the world's most advanced and well-suited to handle these challenges. "The Genting Tunnel has highly complex geological conditions, including water ingress, rock bursts, soft surrounding rock, and six fault zones along the alignment. Due to these challenges, we chose the TBM method, which offers greater safety, stability, and efficiency for tunnelling under such difficult conditions," he said. He also emphasised that the Chinese side has worked well with the Malaysian side to share knowledge and integrate processes, not only by bringing in advanced machinery and expertise but also by incorporating localisation. "Throughout the construction process in Malaysia, we have placed strong emphasis on localisation while continuously working towards the integration of Chinese and Malaysian standards -- a key focus of our efforts. During the project, we incorporated a wide range of local Malaysian elements and actively nurtured local talent," he said. "Many Malaysian technical personnel have been sent to China for training. Looking ahead, the ECRL will be operated through a joint China-Malaysia partnership, with both parties working together as part of an integrated operation and maintenance team," he added. With the completion of all tunnelling works, the ECRL project now moves into its next phase, which includes track installation, electrification, signalling, and communication systems, as well as station interior fit-outs. All works remain on schedule and aligned with the project's master timeline. The ECRL extends from Malaysia's largest transport hub, Port Klang, and runs across the peninsula to the northeastern Kelantan state. The railway is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast.
