TBM Divya achieves major tunnel breakthrough at Victoria Station on Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line

Kolkata, India (Rail & Metro Today): Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has achieved a major tunnelling milestone on the Joka–BBD Bagh Metro Corridor (Purple Line) in Kolkata, with Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Divya’ successfully breaking through at Victoria Metro Station.

The breakthrough marks the completion of a major underground tunnelling drive between Khidderpore and Victoria, highlighting the engineering capabilities of RVNL and its project partners in executing complex underground metro infrastructure in a densely built-up and heritage-sensitive urban environment.

TBM ‘Divya’ Completes Khidderpore–Victoria Drive

The successful breakthrough of TBM ‘Divya’ represents an important step towards the completion of the underground section of the Purple Line. The tunnelling work has required detailed planning and coordination to minimise disruption to surface traffic and daily activities in central Kolkata.

The breakthrough ceremony was attended by Prem Sagar Gupta, General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata; Vipin Kumar, Chief Project Manager, Kolkata Project Implementation Unit, RVNL, along with senior officials from Metro Railway, RVNL, L&T and other stakeholders.

The achievement reflects the coordinated efforts of the project teams in managing the technical, operational and safety challenges associated with underground construction.

RVNL Strengthens Kolkata Metro Infrastructure

RVNL is executing the project as the implementing agency for this prestigious Kolkata Metro corridor under Indian Railways. The Purple Line is being developed to improve connectivity between Joka and central Kolkata, providing an important north-south public transport link for the city.

Underground construction in Kolkata presents unique engineering challenges due to the city's dense urban development, existing infrastructure and heritage-sensitive locations. The successful TBM breakthrough demonstrates the project's progress while limiting the impact of construction activities at surface level.

RVNL Executing Three Kolkata Metro Corridors

RVNL is currently executing three Kolkata Metro corridors spanning approximately 60.5 km, with a combined sanctioned project portfolio of around ₹23,818 crore.

These projects are expected to significantly strengthen Kolkata's mass rapid transit network, improve connectivity across growing urban areas and support the city's shift towards sustainable public transportation.

The latest TBM breakthrough at Victoria Metro Station is therefore not only a significant milestone for the Joka–BBD Bagh corridor but also another step towards expanding modern underground metro infrastructure in Kolkata.