Home / Technology / Kolkata Metro Tunnels Beneath Historic Race Course
Kolkata Metro Tunnels Beneath Historic Race Course
6 Jan
Summary
- Kolkata Metro's Purple Line tunnel boring achieved a milestone under the historic Royal Calcutta Turf Club.
- Tunnel Boring Machine 'Durga' is a 600-tonne giant digging towards Victoria Memorial station.
- Sensors monitored ground settlement to protect heritage stands during tunnelling operations.
Tunnelling for Kolkata's Purple Line has achieved a critical milestone beneath the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC), a site of historical significance founded in 1847. The progress involves navigating the subterranean path under the RCTC, a location once graced by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961. This delicate operation required close coordination between railway engineers and the club's management.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 'Durga', a 100-meter long, 600-tonne machine, initiated its journey towards the Esplanade-bound tunnel on July 10 last year. After covering approximately 600 meters, it successfully passed beneath the RCTC, heading towards the Victoria Memorial station. To safeguard the heritage stands, which date back to 1901 and 1902, sensors were installed for real-time monitoring of ground settlement.
RVNL, overseeing the 14km Joka-Esplanade project, anticipates Durga will reach Victoria Memorial by June. The first phase of tunnelling, from Kidderpore to Victoria, is slated for completion by December 2026. Tunnelling work up to Park Street is expected to conclude by March 2027, marking significant progress for the city's metro expansion.
