Delivery to Mumbai sewer is 25th to India 03 Sep 2020

A new 3.14m diameter EPBM for the Mumbai Sewer Disposal Project (MSDP) in India will be the 25th Terratec TBM to be delivered to the country in the last eight years. Previous machines have constructed more than 58km of key metro, sewer and hydroelectric projects in the country.

Terratec 3.14m diameter EPBM

The new EPBM will be deployed on the Stage-II Priority Works Project by contractor Michigan Engineers Ltd for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). The MSDP Project is being built to meet and improve the quality and reliability of the wastewater collection, treatment and disposal infrastructure for the ever-growing population and provide a healthier and improved environment for the citizens of Mumbai.

With 25 rings of 17in rear replaceable disc cutters and a high torque main drive that is still capable of rotating up to 5rpm, the EPBM is designed to cope with varied geological conditions along the tunnel alignments consisting of mixed ground, basalt and breccia. It is also equipped with a fully active articulation system to accommodate a minimum curve radius of 250m, and due to size constraints and the installation of a full hyperbaric man lock the main drive of the TBM is hydraulic.

En route to Mumbai after successful factory acceptance test

The 4+1 universal type segment design, (0.2m thick by 1m long) reinforced concrete segments will be installed by the mechanically actuated erector as the machine progresses. Terratec rolling stock and battery locomotives will deal with muck removal, segment transport and machine supply and machine operation will be assisted by Terratec field service staff.

“At Michigan Engineers, we chase dreams. Our thoughts become things to enable our progress as a tunnelling company. It is a proud moment to take delivery of our first 3m plus machine to add to our fleet of over ten microtunelling machines,” said Saurin Patel, Managing Director of Michigan Engineers Ltd.

The MSDP Stage II - Priority Works include the expansion of sewage collection networks, new pumping stations, waste water treatment facilities and treated effluent disposal.

Following the successful factory acceptance test, the machine will be shipped to Mumbai and transported to the project site where it will be launched on its first 1,857m-long drive.