Afcons Infra-Sam India JV completes final tunnel breakthrough for Agra Metro Phase 1

Agra, India (Metro Rail Today): Afcons Infrastructure – Sam India Consortium celebrated a significant milestone on 1st January 2025 as their Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM S-718C) completed its final breakthrough at Agra College Station, marking the successful conclusion of a key segment in the Agra Metro Phase 1 project. This breakthrough marks the 16th overall for the project’s underground Package AGCC-02, which spans 7.93 km between RBS Ramp and Taj Mahal Ramp.

TBM S-718C, a Ø6.63m Herrenknecht Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine, has played a pivotal role in the construction of the metro's underground tunnels. This latest breakthrough represents the fifth and final for the machine, which has already completed several crucial tunnel sections, including the 228m twin tunnels between Taj Mahal Station and Taj Mahal Ramp on Fatehabad Road, and a 734m tunnel from RBS Ramp to RBS College Station.

Before its final task, TBM S-718C was instrumental in constructing a 685m tunnel from RBS College to Raja Ki Mandi Station. For its last assignment, the machine was relaunched in November 2024 and successfully completed a 535m tunnel from Raja Ki Mandi to Agra College Interchange Station. The breakthrough occurred just hours after the new year, ushering in a new phase for the Agra Metro project.

Agra Metro Phase 1: Progress and Milestones

The Agra Metro Phase 1 underground section, being built by the Afcons – Sam India Consortium, is a critical part of the city’s transportation overhaul. The Rs. 1819.79 crore contract for the underground works was awarded by Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) in March 2022, with a 48-month deadline. The section spans a total of 7.93 km and includes twin tunnels connecting seven stations: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Mankameshwar, SN Medical College, Agra College, Raja Ki Mandi, and RBS College.

This milestone brings the Agra Metro one step closer to completion, with just two more breakthroughs remaining in the Phase 1 underground section. These will be completed by TBMs 215 and 324 at Mankameshwar Station, with the project expected to reach full completion before the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Looking Ahead for Agra Metro

As TBM S-718C completes its task in Agra, it becomes the second of four TBMs to complete all its drives, following Terratec S115’s completion in December 2024. The successful tunneling efforts signify a major step forward for Agra Metro, which aims to transform the city's transportation network and ease congestion with its state-of-the-art metro rail system.

With the ongoing progress in both underground and elevated sections, the Agra Metro Phase 1 project is on track for timely completion, ensuring the city is poised to benefit from improved connectivity and urban mobility.