Tunnelling begins in Mumbai
11 July 2012Excavation of India's 8.3km Mumbai Water Tunnel began last month. The TBM has bored over 320m as of 4 July 2012.
The tunnel is being bored by a Robbins 6.25m main beam TBM. Unity-IVRCL JV is the contractor for the basalt rock tunnel, which will alleviate the city's current leakage problems from its ageing lines and provide the inhabitants with a consistent flow of clean drinking water.
The TBM was launched from a 109m deep shaft and its launching sequence included an initial start-up excavation of 50m with vital back-up decks connected to the TBM using cables. The first bore began in March and upon completion the decks were lowered and a continuous conveyor system was installed for muck haulage and storage.
"Robbins has made an outstanding effort during the excavation without many difficulties, which speaks to their knowledge and team spirit," V D Shama, director of operations at Unity Infrastructures said following the initial excavation.
