TBM Ganga achieves Final Breakthrough at Agra Metro's Taj Mahal Station

Agra, India (Metro Rail Today): As we bid farewell to 2023, a momentous occasion marks the Agra Metro's journey towards completion. Afcons Infrastructure – SAM India Consortium celebrated the final breakthrough of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Ganga at the iconic Taj Mahal Metro Station, a crucial milestone in the 29.40 km Agra Metro Phase 1 project.

TBM Ganga's Remarkable Journey

TBM Ganga, a state-of-the-art Ø6.52m Robbins Earth Pressure Balance machine, proudly recorded its third breakthrough. This achievement also marked the eighth and final breakthrough for Agra Metro's Priority Corridor, seamlessly connecting Jama Masjid (Mankameshwar Mandir) to Taj East Gate. Furthermore, it was the eighth breakthrough for Package AGCC-02, a significant section of Line-1 spanning 14.25 km and connecting the RBS College Ramp to the Taj Mahal Ramp.

Project Overview

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) entrusted Afcons – SAM Consortium with the Rs. 1819.79 crore civil construction contract for Package AGCC-02 in March 2022. The consortium, comprising Afcons Infrastructure and SAM India, worked tirelessly to meet the 48-month deadline.

The scope of Package AGCC-02 included the construction of twin tunnels covering a distance from chainage 3630.000 to 11564.485, serving seven crucial stations: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, SN Medical College, Agra College, Raja ki Mandi, and RBS College.

TBM Ganga's Drives

TBM Ganga's exceptional performance can be outlined through its drives in various sections of the up-line tunnel:

• June 2023: Ramleela Maidan to Agra Fort Station (334m)
• September 2023: Agra Fort Station to Shahjahan Gardens Midshaft (~175m)
• December 2023: Shahjahan Gardens Midshaft to Taj Mahal Station (~1175m)

These accomplishments reflect the efficiency and precision with which Afcons Infrastructure and SAM India executed this complex tunneling project.

Ambitious Operational Deadline

UPMRC has set an ambitious deadline of February 2024 for the operationalization of Agra Metro's 5.2 km Priority Corridor, stretching from Jama Masjid to Taj East Gate. Trial runs have been underway since July 2023 on the 2.4 km elevated package, connecting the Taj Mahal Ramp to the Taj East Gate and constructed by Sam India Builtwell.

Future Endeavors

With TBM Ganga's final breakthrough, Afcons' tunneling team will redirect their focus towards completing the remaining stretch between RBS College and Jama Masjid. This section is anticipated to witness approximately 10 more breakthroughs, marking another phase of significant progress in the Agra Metro project.

The Agra Metro's journey towards modernization and enhanced connectivity reaches a pivotal juncture with the successful breakthrough of TBM Ganga. As we look forward to the operationalization of the Priority Corridor, the collaborative efforts of Afcons Infrastructure – SAM India Consortium and the relentless pursuit of deadlines underscore the commitment to transforming Agra's transportation landscape.