In a significant stride towards enhancing the Delhi Metro’s extensive network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) proudly announced the completion of the underground tunnel corridor between Tughlakabad and Aerocity, as part of the highly anticipated Phase-4 expansion. On Saturday morning, the robust 97-metre-long tunnel boring machine (TBM) successfully broke through at the Chhatarpur Mandir station after an impressive boring journey of 860 metres.
DMRC Unveils New Underground Corridor Between Tughlakabad And Aerocity
The newly completed corridor features two parallel circular tunnels designed for upward and downward movement. It is a crucial aspect of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad stretch. Notably, on August 21, a breakthrough in the parallel tunnel was made.
Constructed at an average depth of approximately 12 meters, this tunnel represents DMRC’s commitment to modern infrastructure. According to Business Standard, the tunnel comprises about 613 meticulously installed rings with an inner diameter of 5.8 metres, as highlighted by DMRC’s Principal Executive Director, Anuj Dayal.
The construction process was not without its challenges. Engineers faced the daunting task of shifting a 66 KV electrical high-tension line and manoeuvring the TBM beneath the existing Yellow Line viaduct. This required careful coordination to ensure that ongoing metro operations remained uninterrupted.
A New Era Of Efficient Urban Transit
Employing cutting-edge technology, the tunnel was constructed using the Earth Pressure Balancing Method (EPBM). It is a technique that ensures stability during excavation. The tunnel’s concrete lining consists of precast tunnel rings that were meticulously cast at a fully mechanised facility in Mundka.
The use of TBMs—machines specifically designed for excavating tunnels—has transformed tunnelling processes across the globe. Since the inception of Phase 1, DMRC has consistently utilised TBMs for its tunnelling projects. It has deployed approximately 30 machines during the construction of nearly 50 kilometres of underground sections in Phase 3 alone, as per the Business Standard reports.
The successful completion of the Tughlakabad-Aerocity underground tunnel corridor is a pivotal component of the larger Phase 4 expansion. It has also received approval for a total of 40.109 kilometres of underground lines. The Aerocity-Tughlakabad section alone accounts for a remarkable 19.343 kilometres of this total.
In the coming months, commuters can look forward to the enhanced connectivity that this new corridor promises.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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