The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has achieved a key milestone in Phase 4 with the breakthrough of a 1,550-meter tunnel between Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor. A 91-meter-long TBM successfully completed this underground section, with another parallel tunnel expected to be completed by June 2025.
Delhi Metro’s Phase 4 Milestone:
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has made significant progress in its Phase 4 expansion with the breakthrough of an underground tunnel between Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj Station on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor. This marks a crucial step in the corridor’s development, which includes extensive underground construction.
TBM Breakthrough at Vasant Kunj Station:
A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) successfully completed a 1,550-meter tunnel at Vasant Kunj Station. The breakthrough was witnessed by Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, and Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu.
Tunnel Construction Details:
The tunnel, constructed at an average depth of 23 meters (ranging from 15.7m to 30.2m), consists of 1,107 precast concrete rings, each with an inner diameter of 5.8 meters. The Earth Pressure Balancing Method (EPBM) was used, ensuring minimal disruption to existing structures.
Challenges & Safety Measures:
The tunneling process, initiated on October 30, 2023, faced challenges such as a steep gradient and varied geological conditions, including mica and hard rock. To ensure safety, ground movements were continuously monitored using sensitive instruments, preventing any structural settlement.
Future Developments & TBM Usage:
DMRC plans to complete the second parallel tunnel by June 2025. The Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor includes 19.343 km of underground sections, contributing to the 40.109 km of underground work in Phase 4. TBMs have played a vital role in DMRC’s expansion since Phase 1, with nearly 50 km of tunnels constructed using them in Phase 3 alone.
Conclusion:
DMRC’s latest tunnel breakthrough marks a significant step in the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor, enhancing Delhi Metro’s network expansion. With advanced tunneling techniques and safety measures in place, the project remains on track, reinforcing DMRC’s commitment to modern urban mobility and sustainable infrastructure development in the national capital.
Source: DMRC – Press Release | Images Credit: DMRC
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