Tunnel-boring machines used for Mumbai metro work named after rivers

The machines are being used for excavation work of the fully-underground Metro-3.

The tunnel-boring machines (TBM) being used for excavation work of the fully-underground Metro-3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) are not mere tools for the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). They have been named after rivers for a “personal touch” and “to create a sense of belonging”.

Metro-3 is a 33.5km fully-underground corridor connecting South Mumbai to the western suburbs. It is expected to be commissioned by 2021. (HT File/Representational Image)

While seven TBMs are already in the city, 10 more are expected to reach by end of May, this year.

These TBMs have been named as Surya, Vaitarna, Tansa, Krishna, Godavari, Tapi and Wainganga. The TBMs reaching the city will be assigned these names with numbers as Krishna-1, Krishna-2 and so on, officials said.

Ashwini Bhide, managing director, MMRC said, “We will be associated with these machines for two whole years, so we have named it to create a sense of belonging. Also, the TBMs represent force and might, just as a river does. The Metro-3 is one of the biggest underground projects in Maharashtra, so it is good to create some sort of association.”

Bhide also said that it is general practise world-over to name the machines.

Metro-3 is a 33.5km fully-underground corridor connecting South Mumbai to the western suburbs. It is expected to be commissioned by 2021.