Gulermak Lowers Surat Metro’s Tunnel Boring Machines at Kapodra

Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV earlier this month began lowering parts of tunnel boring machines (TBM) S94 and S78 at Kapodra Shaft to build Surat Metro’s Phase 1 project.

Both Ø6.61m earth pressure balance (EPB) machines by Terratec are being deployed for constructing tunnels on the 21.61 km Line-1’s 7.02 km underground section connecting Chowk Bazar and Kapodra Ramp.

TBM S94 is an entirely new machine and passed factory acceptance tests (FAT) in China in January. TBM S78 is a refurbished machine and previously saw action in Pune Metro’s Phase 1 project.

Both machines will build a total of 6 tunnels for the 3.46 km Package CS2 / UG1 which was awarded in March 2021 by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC). Gulermak-Sam’s scope also includes the construction of 3 stations at Kapodra, Labheshwar Chowk and Central Warehouse.

Images via follower Mantu Kumar:

After starting out from Kapodra, both machines will be retrieved from Surat Railway Station. Gulermak-Sam’s tunneling plan (drive lengths, estimated timeframe) remains unknown to me, so if anyone is aware then a drop a comment below.

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– TMRG