By Lynda Myer
Considering arrival of two of the four TBMs, which had been procured by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) through ship from China, the construction process on the underground section of Corridor 2 in Patna, the capital of Bihar, is due to be commenced.
The location of assembling these almost 90m long machines with a 15-m diameter is the Moin-ul-Haque Stadium site, whereas the construction work on the underground station has been undergoing in the same place and the estimated time duration for assembling the TBMs is around a month.
While the TBMs EPB are going to be lowered into two dug areas, at a distance of 10-m apart, following this they will start their journey on the twin tunnels – one north-bound and one south-bound – from Moin-Ul-Haque Stadium in March 2023. In order to lining the tunnels precast concrete rings are slated to be used and the determined duration for completion of the construction works is within 24 to 30 months. With a daily performance of about 8-10 m, these TBMs will be operated by a team of around 35 people.
Stretching from Rajendra Nagar to Frazer Road, this 7.9km-long underground tunnel from will include 7 underground stations: Rajendra Nagar, Moin-ul-Haque Stadium, Patna University, PMCH, Gandhi Maidan, Akashvani and Patna Junction (an interchangeable station).
The scheduled date for completion of Corridor 2 with 14.5km length and (Patna Junction-Patliputra Bus Terminal) covering a 6.6km long priority corridor- Malahi Pakri, Khemnichak, Bhoothnath, Zero Mile and New ISBT, will be part of an elevated section, is 2025 and the work on 7.9km underground network is due to be completed by 2026.
The estimated cost of Patna metro project is EUR 1.58bn (Rs 13925.50 crore, excluding land acquisition cost, which is entirely to be borne by the state government).
For more details on this project please visit their website.
