What milestone has the Kolkata Metro's Purple Line achieved at RCTC?

The Purple Line has successfully completed tunnelling operations beneath the historic Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

How are heritage structures protected during Kolkata Metro tunnelling?

Sensors are fitted to heritage stands for live monitoring of ground settlement, ensuring structural integrity during tunnelling.

When is the Joka-Esplanade Metro project expected to be completed?

The first phase of tunnelling is expected by December 2026, with tunnelling up to Park Street by March 2027.

Home / Technology / Kolkata Metro Tunnels Beneath Historic Race Course

Kolkata Metro Tunnels Beneath Historic Race Course

6 Jan

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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.

Kolkata Metro Tunnels Beneath Historic Race Course

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.