The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of an 865-meter underground tunnel between Chhatarpur and Chhatarpur Mandir stations on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor. This development is part of the ongoing phase 4 expansion of the Golden Line, which aims to enhance connectivity across Delhi.
Recognition for DMRC’s Swift Construction
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, lauded the DMRC for completing the tunnel in just over five months. The project utilized a 97-meter-long tunnel boring machine (TBM) to facilitate construction. The breakthrough at the Chhatarpur Mandir site was celebrated by Saxena and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.
Minister Gahlot, in a statement on X, expressed enthusiasm over the tunnel’s completion, praising the DMRC for its efficiency and cutting-edge technology. “Huge congratulations to DMRC and all the brilliant engineers and staff involved! Achieving this remarkable feat without disrupting any existing structures is a testament to their expertise and dedication,” he remarked.
The new tunnel, constructed at an average depth of 15 meters, is part of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor’s infrastructure, featuring two parallel tunnels for bidirectional movement. The DMRC anticipates completing the other tunnel by September.
The construction faced several challenges, including relocating a 66 KV high-tension line and ensuring the TBM’s passage beneath the Yellow Line viaduct without disrupting services. Built using the Earth Pressure Balancing Method (EPBM) and precast concrete rings, the tunnel is a critical addition to Delhi’s metro network, aimed at enhancing urban mobility and reducing travel times.
The phase 4 expansion involves 40.109 km of underground lines, with 19.343 km dedicated to the Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor, marking a significant advancement in Delhi’s metro infrastructure.