ITD Cementation India has officially launched the tunnel boring machine S-1075B, named TBM Pelican, at the Panagal Park Crossover’s Launch Shaft for the construction of underground tunnels on Chennai Metro‘s Line-4, spanning 26.1 km from Poonamallee Bypass to Light House.
TBM Pelican marks the initiation of excavation activities for Package UG-2 (Kodambakkam Flyover to Boat Club) within the larger 116.1 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project. It is the third tunnel boring machine to commence tunneling on Line-4, following TBM Flamingo (S-1352A) and TBM Eagle (S-1073B), both deployed from Light House Station under Package UG-1.
This 06.67m Herrenknecht EPB machine, previously known as TBM Krishna-3, had successfully constructed three tunnels for Package UGC-04 of Mumbai Metro’s 33.5 km Line-3 (Aqua Line) under the CEC – ITD – Tata JV. After refurbishment and passing factory acceptance tests (FAT) in August 2023 at Herrenknecht’s Tamil Nadu plant, the machine’s components were lowered into Panagal Park’s shaft earlier this month.
TBM Pelican is tasked with excavating and constructing a tunnel of approximately 1100 meters for the up-line from Panagal Park Crossover to Kodambakkam in its initial assignment. According to CMRL’s press release, the machine will dig at a maximum depth of 18.5m, with an expected arrival at Kodambakkam by December 2024.
ITD Cem was awarded Line-4’s underground contracts, namely packages UG-01 (5.15 km) and UG-02 (4.87 km), by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) in January 2022. The combined contract value is Rs. 3743.24 crore, with a 48-month deadline.
The progress of TBM tunnels on Line-4 includes:
- S-1352A (Flamingo) on UG-01: Started tunneling in September 2023, with approximately 165m tunnel built so far.
- S-1073B (Eagle) on UG-01: Initiated tunneling in mid-January 2024, with approximately 30m tunnel built so far.
- S-1075B (Pelican) on UG-02: Commissioned at Panagal Park’s Crossover.
- S-1074B (Peacock) on UG-02: Passed FAT in April 2023; scheduled for lowering next (anticipated launch on April 1).
Image Source: themetrorailguy.com