JAIPUR: Putting to rest speculations that underground construction work inside the Walled City will cause a serious threat to the heritage, the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) successfully dug two Tunnels between Chandpole and Badi Chaupar without causing any damage to the structures.

This has boosted the morale of JMRC officials to complete the project within the stipulated deadline.

JMRC project director, Ashwani Saxena said, “We are confident to complete the project by August 2018. Out of two, one tunnel boring machines (TBM) machine has been brought back on the surface using cranes.”

These mammoth TBM machines are extremely heavy, so JMRC is bringing them back on surface after dismantling the parts. “Both these TBMs will be taken out till September from Badi Chaupar end. JMRC will also divert the traffic on the route for 45 days,” said another JMRC official.

In the Walled City area, these tunnels were dug near four archaeological monuments- Chandpole Gate, Isar Lat, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. As the tunnels crossed all the hurdles safely, including Chandpole Gate and Isar Lat, JMRC officials are heaving a sigh of relief.

A JMRC official told TOI, it was a major challenge to dig tunnels beneath Chandpole Gate as JMRC did not have the design of Chandpole Gate.

It was further claimed that digging under that is an engineering marvel and such type of digging has never been done before.

JMRC will also write a technical paper to put it on records so that others could use its technique for assistance in future.

After completion of digging the tunnels, JMRC will start the work of track laying, electrification and air-conditioning.

“The tenders for track laying are expected to be opened soon. The work of track laying and electrification will be completed within one year,” added the official.

Air-conditioning work of Jaipur underground Metro will also start soon. Once Metro’s underground stations are opened to public, they will be one of the coolest transit hubs, added an official.

JMRC plans to install modernised ventilation and air-conditioning systems (VACs) and the stations will provide respite from the heat and connectivity between Metro stations.

VAC is a multi-purpose system that keeps underground stations cool, ensures that air flows through the tunnels, draws out smoke during emergencies and removes heat generated by air-conditioning systems and braking equipment on trains, said an official.

“The air-conditioning systems will be developed near Choti Chaupar and JMRC is also digging a tunnel to connect it with stations,” the official added.