BMRCL achieved an important milestone in the commissioning of Phase 1 on Friday when Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Krishna reached Kempegowda Station at 2:04 p.m.
The mood was one of jubilation at the site as the TBM had faced several obstacles in the past two months forcing it to crawl through the last 90 meters.
“We encountered boulders, cavities and pockets of hard rock. We completed tunnelling without loss of human life,” said Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL).
Krishna started its journey three years and nine months ago at NationalCollege, 1.8 kilometers away from Friday's breakthrough point.
When the machine emerged, workers clambered up to raise the Indian flag as well as the yellow-red flag associated with Karnataka. For those working on the TBM, it was an opportunity to spend a few days above ground.
“Around 75 of us have been working in two shifts for the past nine months and spending 12 hours a day underground. We will have a few days of leave now,” said Babul Vishwa Sharma, one of the team members.
The machine will now be dismantled before heading to its next destination.
“If the same company bags the tunnelling contract for Phase 2, Krishna may be back again,” Mr. Kharola added.
