Kaveri, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) of Namma Metro, made a dramatic breakthrough as it emerged into daylight after a year underground at the site of the Chickpet Metro Station on Friday.
Grey slurry leaked from cracks in the wall of concrete accompanied by the clatter of metal hitting the concrete façade. In 15 minutes, the blocks of concrete fell off the façade as the rotor-pocked TBM appeared. The emerging TBM was greeted with whoops and whistles from BMRCL employees. At least four employees operating the TBM climbed out of it into daylight. Some residents stood on rooftops and terraces to watch the operation.
The machine, which is digging a tunnel on the North-South line, has been working through rock and soil beneath the most densely populated areas of the city.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “It is the last milestone for Bangalore Metro.” The machine will now move Majestic, the final lap, he added.
The TBM, which started from KIMS, has traversed 450 m from City Market to reach the point in Chikpet. From here, it will move 750 m towards Majestic, by the middle of next year. It will again go under many buildings, including houses.
The underground segment of the North-South corridor, from Sampige Road to National College, will intersect the East-West line at Kempegowda (Majestic). Stating that there has been no untoward incident, Mr. Kharola said, “All credit goes to the engineers.”
