The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) reached a major milestone on Wednesday by completing tunneling for the city’s longest underground Metro line.
This line, part of the Pink Line (Reach-6) under Phase-2, spans 13.76 km between Kalena Agrahara in the south and Nagawara in the north. The 20.99-km twin tunnels along the North-South corridor are set to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, offering a quicker, more efficient travel option through the city center.
The final breakthrough was achieved by Bhadra, the last Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) used on this line, which completed a 937-meter stretch from K G Halli to Nagawara. This accomplishment completes the entire tunneling work required for Reach-6, marking 100% completion on this section.
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The tunneling work from south of Tannery Road to the north ramp required the construction of four underground Metro stations: Tannery Road, Venkateshpura, Arabic College, and Nagawara. This crucial section of the project was overseen by M/s ITD Cementation India Limited, a leading engineering firm in India.
The project began in August 2020, with Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Urja launched between Cantonment and Shivajinagar. In total, nine TBMs were deployed, each successfully completing its assigned section. BMRCL achieved several tunneling milestones, including TBM Urja’s single-day record of 27 meters on April 25, 2022, and TBM Tunga’s monthly record of 308 meters between K G Halli and Nagawara in July 2024.
The Pink Line features a total of 12 underground stations, with station construction now 90% complete. This line is projected to have a substantial impact on traffic, particularly along the North-South corridor, providing commuters with an efficient alternative to Bengaluru’s heavily congested roads. The line is scheduled to become operational by December 2025.