Made in India TBM Durga Completes Kolkata Metro Tunnel: Big Boost to Make in India
India has achieved another proud infrastructure milestone. Tunnel Boring Machine Durga successfully completed a major tunnel breakthrough at Victoria Metro Station on Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line, marking the completion of one of the underground tunnel drives between Khidderpore and Victoria on the Joka-Esplanade corridor. The Ministry of Railways said the breakthrough was achieved on July 10, 2026, exactly one year after tunnelling began on July 10, 2025.
This is not just a Kolkata Metro update. It is a Make in India story.
The project shows how India is building the capability to execute complex urban tunnelling in difficult soil conditions, crowded city zones and heritage-sensitive areas — without depending blindly on foreign-controlled infrastructure supply chains.
What Is TBM Durga?
A Tunnel Boring Machine, or TBM, is a massive underground machine used to dig tunnels with precision. Instead of open excavation, a TBM cuts through soil and rock below the surface while supporting the tunnel structure.
TBM Durga is a huge machine — reported as around 90 metres long and 650 tonnes — that completed the first phase of underground tunnelling on the Joka-Esplanade Purple Line. Indian Express reported that Durga excavated a 1.7 km underground path from Kidderpore to Victoria over 365 days, travelling beneath sensitive zones including Fort William and reaching Victoria Memorial without surface damage.
That is a serious engineering achievement.
Why This Is a Make in India Boost
Metro officials described Durga as a Make in India endeavour. Indian Express reported that the machine was manufactured with parts imported from Germany’s Herrenknecht and assembled in Tamil Nadu.
This point is important. India is not claiming that every nut and bolt was made domestically. But the direction is clear: more assembly, more engineering capability, more localisation and more control over critical infrastructure equipment.
The official Metro Railway release from 2025 also said the 6.63 metre outer-diameter TBM was assembled in Chennai and moved to Kolkata for lowering and tunnelling work. It also noted that two TBMs, Durga and Divya, were being used for twin-tube tunnels from Khidderpore to Park Street.
This is how self-reliance grows — step by step, project by project.
Reducing Dependence on China and Foreign Bottlenecks
India’s infrastructure boom needs metro tunnels, road tunnels, railway tunnels, water tunnels and high-speed transport corridors. For years, such advanced equipment was heavily dependent on foreign suppliers.
Recent experience has shown why supply-chain control matters. Economic Times reported in 2025 that German-made TBMs for India’s bullet train project were stuck at a Chinese port, creating concerns for project timelines.
That is exactly why India needs domestic capability.
When critical machines are built, assembled or localised in India, the country reduces exposure to geopolitical delays, import restrictions and foreign chokepoints. It also creates skilled jobs, strengthens Indian manufacturing and gives Indian engineers hands-on experience with advanced tunnelling technology.
Why Kolkata’s Purple Line Matters
The Purple Line is not just another metro route. It is expected to strengthen connectivity between southern Kolkata and the city’s central business district. The Ministry of Railways said the Joka-Esplanade corridor will improve east-west connectivity, reduce travel time, ease congestion and offer safer, faster and more sustainable public transport.
For a city like Kolkata, this matters deeply. Traffic congestion, narrow roads, old urban layouts and high population density make underground metro expansion difficult but necessary.
The Khidderpore-Victoria tunnel is especially important because the route passes through sensitive and historic zones. Completing this stretch with minimal surface disruption shows how far India’s metro construction capability has evolved.
India’s Infrastructure Confidence Is Rising
The success of TBM Durga is part of a larger national trend. India is building metros in multiple cities, expanding highways, modernising railways, constructing tunnels in the Himalayas, and pushing high-speed transport.
Earlier, many Indians associated advanced tunnelling only with China, Europe or Japan. But projects like this show that India is developing its own execution ecosystem.
Make in India is not only about defence missiles, smartphones or semiconductors. It is also about machines that dig under cities, connect people, reduce pollution and build the backbone of a modern economy.
Final Thoughts
TBM Durga’s breakthrough on Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line is a proud moment for Indian engineering. It proves that India can handle complex underground infrastructure in difficult urban conditions while building domestic industrial capability.
Yes, India still uses global technology and imported components where needed. But the bigger story is clear: India is moving from dependency to capability.
As more TBMs are assembled, manufactured and maintained in India, the country will become less vulnerable to foreign delays and more confident in building its own future.
This is Make in India beneath the ground — silent, powerful and transformational.
FAQs
What did TBM Durga achieve in Kolkata?
TBM Durga completed a major tunnel breakthrough at Victoria Metro Station on Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line, finishing one underground tunnel drive between Khidderpore and Victoria.
Is TBM Durga fully Made in India?
TBM Durga has been described as a Make in India endeavour. It used German-origin components from Herrenknecht and was assembled in Tamil Nadu.
Why is this important for India?
It shows India’s growing ability to handle complex tunnelling projects and reduce dependence on foreign-controlled infrastructure supply chains.
How will the Purple Line help Kolkata?
The Purple Line will improve connectivity between southern Kolkata and central Kolkata, reduce road congestion and provide faster public transport.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on official statements and credible media reports available at the time of writing. It should not be treated as investment, policy or engineering advice.
