The reporter learned from Shijiazhuang Tiedao University that a TBM (full-face rock tunnel boring machine), under the overall technical guidance of Professor Du Lijie of the university, has recently begun full-scale excavation in the construction of the Pangduo Water Conservancy Project, known as the "Tibet Three Gorges." This marks the official start of construction on China's highest-altitude and longest water conveyance tunnel project in a plateau region.

The Tibet Pangduo Water Conservancy Project is one of the key projects supported by the state under the Western Development Program and is by far the largest comprehensive water conservancy and hydropower development project in Tibet. The water conveyance tunnel of the project is located between Songpan Township and Pangduo Township in Linzhou County, Lhasa City, with a total length of 16.8 kilometers and an excavation diameter of 4 meters. The entire line lies above an altitude of 4,100 meters, making it a landmark project of the Tibet Pangduo Water Conservancy Project. The project adopts TBM construction for the first time and is currently the world's highest-altitude TBM construction project. Once completed, the project will end the history of the Lhasa River basin having no major controlling project and will play an important role in improving downstream agricultural irrigation conditions, alleviating the supply-demand imbalance of the Central Tibet power grid, and promoting local economic and social development.

As the overall TBM technical guidance expert, Du Lijie has carried out full-process and all-round scientific and technological research and technical support in response to the particularities of TBM application in cold and high-altitude conditions, covering the entire process from TBM bidding, contract negotiation, design and manufacturing, assembly and commissioning, to construction technology.

Industry experts said that the TBM is currently the world's most advanced tunnel construction machine, offering advantages such as speed, safety, cost-effectiveness, and benefits for environmental protection and labor protection. This is the world's first full-face rock tunnel boring machine construction in a cold and high-altitude region, and its plateau construction experience will serve as an important demonstration and reference for the construction of water conservancy, railway, highway and other projects in Tibet.