The machines which are going to drill the tunnels for the new North-South metro line under the heart of historic Amsterdam are being blessed and given names today.

Dean Ambro Bakker of the imposing Saint Nicolas Church near the city's central station is officiating at the ceremony. The protection of Saint Barbara, the patron of miners, is being invoked and her statue placed in a special casket in the tunnel.

Two tunnels with a combined length of 3.1 kilometres are scheduled to be constructed by the end of 2012.

The North-South Line has been plagued by problems. It is hugely over-budget and running years late, and historic Amsterdam houses have been damaged during the construction of some metro stations.

Critics say the new metro has become a byword for failed large-scale projects and that it needs all the help heaven can provide.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide