TBM Shivaji achieves tunnel breakthrough at RBS College for Agra Metro Rail Project

Agra, India (Metro Rail Today): Earlier this month, Afcons Infrastructure – Sam India Consortium quietly celebrated a significant milestone as tunnel boring machine (TBM) S-718C, nicknamed "Shivaji" achieved a tunnel breakthrough at RBS College Station of Corridor 1. This achievement is part of the Agra Metro Phase 1 project, specifically the 14.25 km Corridor 1 that stretches from Sikandra to Taj East Gate.

This event marked TBM Shivaji's third breakthrough, contributing to the overall tenth breakthrough for the 7.93 km Package AGCC-02, which spans from the RBS Ramp to the Taj Mahal Ramp. TBM Shivaji, a Ø6.63m diameter Herrenknecht earth pressure balance (EPB) machine, has previously been instrumental in constructing the 228m twin tunnels between Taj Mahal Station and Taj Mahal Ramp on Fatehabad Road. The machine recorded breakthroughs in October and December 2023 for these projects.

In its latest drive, which concluded earlier this month, TBM Shivaji excavated and constructed an approximately 734-meter tunnel for the down-line, connecting RBS Ramp to RBS College Station.

The breakthrough at RBS College Station is a crucial step forward for the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), which awarded the Rs. 1819.79 crore civil construction contract for underground Package AGCC-02 to the Afcons – Sam India Consortium in March 2022. The project is on a 48-month timeline.

The section being constructed by the Afcons Infrastructure – Sam India Consortium, spanning chainage 3630.000 to 11564.485, includes the construction of twin tunnels that will connect seven stations: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, SN Medical College, Agra College, Raja Ki Mandi, and RBS College.

This breakthrough is the second for the remaining underground section of Agra Metro Line-1, outside the now operational Priority Corridor, which runs between RBS Ramp and Mankameshwar Mandir Station. The first breakthrough for this section was accomplished by Terratec TBM S115 for the parallel up-line tunnel in mid-April 2024.

Just days before TBM Shivaji's breakthrough, Afcons celebrated erecting their 500th tunnel ring (each ring being 1.4 meters wide) for the down-line tunnel. Following this breakthrough, TBM Shivaji will be transported through RBS College’s station box and recommissioned for its next journey towards Raja Ki Mandi Station, covering a distance of approximately 640 meters.

With ten breakthroughs completed, the project now has eight more to go: two each at Raja Ki Mandi, Agra College, SN Medical College, and Mankameshwar (Jama Masjid). Currently, TBMs Yamuna and Ganga are working on excavating and building twin tunnels, roughly 485 meters long, from Agra College to SN Medical College, and they are expected to make their breakthroughs next.

This continuous progress in the Agra Metro Phase 1 project highlights the commitment and efficiency of the Afcons – Sam India Consortium in transforming the city’s transportation infrastructure. The completion of these tunnels will significantly enhance connectivity and provide a modern metro system for Agra's residents and visitors.