Bhopal Metro Underground Corridor Construction Gathers Pace

Bhopal Metro Underground Corridor Construction Gathers Pace As Twin TBMs Advance

Bhopal Metro’s underground construction work is progressing safely, with the project’s two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) having built nearly 260 metres of tunnel so far, officials said on Saturday. The underground corridor is being constructed to improve metro connectivity in densely populated areas and reduce pressure on road traffic, with Bhopal Railway Station and Nadra Bus Stand set to be the key stations along this stretch.

Bhopal Metro Twin TBMs Cross 260 Metres Towards Aishbagh

The underground tunnel is being built in two phases. In the first phase, both TBMs are advancing from Bhopal Railway Station towards Aishbagh, boring tunnels roughly 60 feet below ground level. Officials said the two machines have together completed nearly 260 metres of tunnelling, with the first TBM building around 160 metres and the second around 100 metres.

As the TBMs cut through the soil and advance, permanent precast RCC rings are being installed inside the tunnel simultaneously. Officials said this process helps ensure the structural stability of the underground tunnel as construction progresses.

Bhopal Metro Project Prioritises Public And Worker Safety

Officials said public safety, along with the safety of buildings and workers, remains the top priority during the underground construction work. An instrumentation and monitoring system is being used to track possible vibration and ground settlement in buildings and other structures located above the tunnel route.

This monitoring system allows engineers to detect any unusual changes early and take corrective action in time, reducing risks to structures above the tunnel corridor.

Bhopal Metro Deploys Ventilation And Gas Monitoring Systems For Worker Safety

To ensure the safety of workers inside the tunnel, a fresh air ventilation system and a gas monitoring system have been installed along the underground stretch. Officials said regular gas checks are being carried out inside the tunnel, along with round-the-clock safety surveillance, to maintain safe working conditions for the construction crew.

The combination of structural monitoring above ground and safety systems within the tunnel reflects the project’s broader approach of balancing construction speed with strict safety protocols, particularly given the underground work’s proximity to densely populated parts of the city.

Underground Corridor Expected To Ease Traffic And Improve Connectivity

Once completed, the underground corridor connecting Bhopal Railway Station and Nadra Bus Stand is expected to significantly improve metro connectivity in some of the city’s busiest areas. Officials said the underground route has been designed specifically to serve high-density zones where surface-level metro construction would be more disruptive to existing road traffic.

The progress on the twin TBMs marks an important milestone for the Bhopal Metro project, which forms part of the city’s broader efforts to modernise public transport infrastructure and reduce congestion on its roads.

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