DURBAN – The second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II has landed at Maydon Wharf in Durban, South Africa, bringing the much-anticipated infrastructure milestone a step closer to Lesotho.
The massive equipment, known as the Polihali TBM, is set to begin its journey across the border next week, with the cutter head and other key components expected to arrive in Lesotho shortly after.
This TBM will be used to excavate the 38-kilometre Polihali Transfer Tunnel, which forms a major part of the cross-border water project between Lesotho and South Africa.
The arrival comes months after the successful deployment of the Katse TBM — locally nicknamed Khoiti ea Ngoaha Kholo (KENK2) — which is already operational.
Once assembled and launched from the Polihali side, the new machine will drive forward one of southern Africa’s most ambitious water infrastructure undertakings.
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