Bengaluru: Companies that are active in Namma Metro project, especially in the construction of tunnels, are now showing interest in building tunnel roads, the ambitious project of the Government. Thus, all the experience in the metro has come forward to flow to the “tunnel road”. Two-three companies have already approached the Government in this regard.
Afcons Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, which is drilling the tunnel for the metro line in the second phase, and AEcom Infrastructure Consulting, an agency consulting for the same tunnel, are interested in the construction of the tunnel road that the Government intends to build for the traffic of the city.
Already in the city we have been building tunnels for years. What is the nature of the soil here? It is experienced that wherever there is stony soil. Not only that, the company has successfully completed the Delhi Metro, Konkan Railway construction project and is active in many development projects including the construction of the longest Jammu-Kashmir bridge in the country, said the sources and added that the same experience will be helpful in building a road in the tunnel.
Afcons Infrastructure Company has currently awarded a tender for the construction of a tunnel between Dairy Circle and Nagawara Junction in Phase 2 of our Metro at a cost of Rs. 1,526 Crore. The 5.5 km long tunnel has Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) namely Varada, Rudra and Vamika, of which Varada has already completed its task.
Also, AE Com Company is advising Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) regarding installation of wiring, drainage system and other pipelines, electro-mechanical in metro tunnel. This experience will also help in the construction of the tunnel road. So they have gained attention to consider themselves.
However, the size of the metro tunnel is at least 6 metres. Accordingly, giant machines such as TBMs are designed. The tunnel road will be two-way and its circumference will be doubled i.e. 13 to 14 meters. Also, the length of the tunnel will be tens of km. In this regard, even the existing machines will not be useful. However, experts say that it is possible to bring other machines on lease.