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The four underground stations of the Nhon – Hanoi Station metro line are officially connected. Photo: MRB.

Starting from Station S9 (Kim Ma) on July 30, 2024, "Than Toc" successfully tunneled through a chain of four underground stations: S9 (Kim Ma), S10 (Cat Linh), S11 (Van Mieu), and S12 (Hanoi Station).

This marks the first time Hanoi has deployed a TBM in the densely populated and infrastructurally complex city center, home to numerous cultural and historical landmarks. The journey represents a pivotal advancement in the construction of the nearly 4km underground section of the project.

The "Than Toc" TBM installed 1,720 tunnel rings during its operation, maintaining strict adherence to safety, technical, and environmental standards. Upon reaching Station S12, the machine's front end will be dismantled at the site, while auxiliary equipment will be retrieved and transported back to Station S9.

Meanwhile, TBM2, named "Tao Bao" (Bold), is approaching Station S11. As of December 1, the CP03 package (tunnels and underground stations) had reached over 72% completion, with 3,395 out of 3,495 tunnel rings already fabricated to support the operations of both TBMs.

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The twin TBMs, "Than Toc" and "Tao Bao," were designed specifically for the Hanoi metro Line 3 project. Photo: MRB.

Nguyen Ba Son, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB), emphasized that TBM1’s arrival at Station S12 is a "historic milestone" for the project. However, he noted that the journey toward launching a safe, modern, and efficient metro system is far from over.

Representatives from the Management Board affirmed their commitment to mobilize all resources and maintain close coordination with contractors and consultants to accelerate progress while ensuring quality and safety.

The twin TBMs, "Than Toc" and "Tao Bao," were custom-designed for Line 3 of Hanoi’s urban railway project, specifically the Nhon – Hanoi Station segment. Manufactured by Herrenknecht (Germany), each machine measures over 100 meters in length and weighs around 850 tons.

"Our goal is to soon offer Hanoi residents a civilized, convenient, and reliable public transportation system that meets their expectations," Son said.

The Nhon – Hanoi Station metro line is expected to become a vital artery that helps alleviate congestion, promote public transit, and improve urban environmental quality.

Vu Diep