Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) held a ceremony to commemorate the completion of tunneling works for the Klang Valley MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line (SBK Line) at the Pasar Seni MRT Station on 21 April 2015.

The significant milestone was achieved when a tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through at the Pasar Seni MRT Station site for the last time for the Project on 11 April 2015, signifying the end of tunneling works for the underground section of the line.

The Variable Density TBM, named Pudu 1, was the first TBM to be launched for the Project. It was launched on 30 May 2013 by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak at the Cochrane site.

“This is indeed a major milestone for the MRT Project, as our engineers conducted tunnelling works successfully and smoothly. It also saw the usage of new technology – the Variable Density Tunnel Boring Machine,” said MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Shahril Mokhtar.

“However, the end of tunnelling is not the end of underground construction for the Project. We still need to complete construction of the seven underground stations, which is progressing very well,” he added.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib who was the guest of honour of the ceremony, said:”An MRT for Kuala Lumpur will be a huge benefit for its citizens. As the population grows, there will be more cars on the road and the availability of a good public transport rail system will be a boon. I am therefore very pleased with the progress of the project so far.”

He mentioned how improved public transport can boost the city’s tourism industry.

“Accessibility and mobility will be improved within the capital city without congesting an already choked road system. I hope to see the city further prosper with better public transport,” he said.

This TBM covered the longest drive of 4.4km among the eight TBMs used for the construction of the SBK Line.

The machine broke through at three locations – Pudu Shaft, Merdeka Station and Pasar Seni MRT Station – while tunnelling through the Tun Razak Exchange and Bukit Bintang MRT Stations.

The tunnel it excavated will be used for north-bound trains towards Sungai Buloh. In total, Pudu 2 built 3,039 rings.