By Lynda Myer
With 3.14m diameter, TERRATEC Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM), which was previously used on the Mumbai Sewer Disposal Project (MSDP) Stage-II Priority Works in Mumbai, India by Contractor Michigan Engineering Project LTD (MEPL), currently is making great progress for Mithi River Water Quality Improvement Project in Mumbai, India.
Refurbishing and upgrading the machine was done following completion of the initial project and the work was implemented by MEPL’s team with TERRATEC providing the necessary parts and supervision. Conducted by J Kumar Infraprojects – MEPL Joint Venture and the client Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), at the moment the machine is delivering great results on the Mithi River Water Quality Improvement Project.
Designed to improve water quality in Mithi River, the project is to curb the pollution load entering the river. The Mithi River in sewerage zone 3 runs 17.8 kilometers through densely populated residential and industrial areas.
The date of commissioning this upgraded machine was Dec. 2022 and has been making excellent advance. While 70% of its first 1840m long journey from Dharavi to Kurla Garden has been completed, this machine is now the smallest hard rock EPB TBM operating in the country.
In order to overcoming various geological conditions along the tunnel alignments consisting of mixed ground and basalt hard rocks, this EPBM has been designed by TERRATEC, whereas it comprises of 25 rings of 17” rear replaceable disc cutters and a high torque, high-speed main drive. Also creation of minimum curve radius of 250m has been achieved by TBM’s fully active articulation system. Considering size constraints and the installation of a full hyperbaric man lock, the TBM’s main drive is hydraulic and it is using 4+1 universal type segment design, with mechanically actuated erectors installing reinforced concrete segments that are 200mm thick and 1000mm long. Muck removal, segment transport and machine supply will be by TERRATEC rolling stock and battery locomotives.
Adding a new type of segment feeder and concentrated polymer injection system for water control and spoil conditioning in rock sections are the upgrades of this machine, while the backup has been reorganized, additional facilities put on the decks and some new features added to improve the machines operation.
Passing through densely populated residential and industrial areas of Mumbai, Mithi River is an open sewer. Additionally, as one of the oldest river systems in India, Wastewater and industrial waste were dumped into the Mithi River. Hence the main purpose of Mithi River Water Quality Improvement Project is to control the pollution load entering the river.
Due to TERRATEC’s continuing success on projects such as Phase III & IV of the Delhi Metro, Lucknow Metro, Pune Metro, Kanpur Metro, Ahmadabad Metro as well as Mumbai Metro, it has been selected for the underground tunnel package in Surat Metro Rail Project. This is a result of tailor-made robust TBM design, prompt onsite assistance, readily available stock of TBM spares, and highly-skilled specialized TBM support throughout tunneling operations.
For more information please visit their website.
