IN A landmark development for urban infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, the Bhopal Metro Rail Project has officially commenced its underground tunnelling operations. For the first time in the State’s history, a sophisticated Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named ‘Durgavati’ has been lowered approximately 24 meters below the surface in the Bhopal Railway Station area to begin constructing the subterranean corridor. Managing Director of Metro Rail S Krishna Chaitanya, congratulated the team on this significant achievement. He issued strict directives to maintain the highest safety and quality standards while ensuring the project adheres to the stipulated timelines. This underground stretch is a critical part of the Orange Line’s priority corridor. One of the most remarkable features of this engineering feat is that the tunnel will pass directly beneath some of the city’s most congested and bustling landmarks, including the Bhopal Railway Station and the Nadra Bus Stand.

 

Thanks to the advanced TBM technology, excavation will proceed without any impact on the surface traffic or daily commerce. The TBM ‘Durgavati’ is specifically engineered for dense urban environments. It performs the dual task of excavating the soil and simultaneously installing concrete segments to line the tunnel, ensuring immediate structural integrity as the machine advances. Procured at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore, this high-tech machine has an average excavation capacity of 15 meters per day. With a diameter of 5.8 meters, the TBM operates with minimal noise and vibration, significantly reducing the risk of structural damage to the older buildings in the densely populated old city areas. ‘Durgavati’ is the first of two machines brought to Bhopal from Bengaluru in December 2025 to be deployed for this project. The entire underground segment involves the construction of a 3.39-kmlong tunnel, which will eventually connect key transit hubs, providing a seamless travel experience.