TBM Shivaji records first tunnel breakthrough for Agra Metro Phase 1 Project

Agra, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant milestone for the Agra Metro Phase 1 project, Afcons Infrastructure and SAM India Joint Venture (JV) celebrated the successful breakthrough of their third tunnel boring machine (TBM), known as Shivaji (S-718C). This refurbished TBM, with a diameter of Ø6.63 meters, was manufactured by Herrenknecht and is an Earth Pressure Balance machine. It was commissioned in early August 2023 for the purpose of constructing twin underground tunnels as part of the 14.25 km Line-1's 7.93 km section between RBS College Ramp and Taj Mahal Ramp (Package AGCC-02).

For its inaugural task, TBM Shivaji bore and constructed an approximately 228-meter-long tunnel for the up-line, starting from Taj Mahal Station's launch shaft and leading towards the cut & cover ramp on Fatehabad Road. This ramp serves as a crucial connection to Sam India's Package AGCC-01, where trial runs are currently in progress.

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) awarded the civil construction contract for this section to the Afcons - SAM Consortium in March 2022, with a stipulated deadline of 48 months. This particular section spans from chainage 3630.000 to 11564.485 and comprises twin tunnels connecting seven stations: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, SN Medical College, Agra College, Raja ki Mandi, and RBS College.

Following this breakthrough, TBM Shivaji is set to be redeployed to construct the parallel down-line tunnel, which will also measure approximately 228 meters in length. Given the configuration of the breakthrough shaft area, it is likely that the machine will be dismantled, transported, reassembled, and then relaunched from Taj Mahal Station for this phase of the project.

The successful progress of the Agra Metro Phase 1 project continues to be a significant achievement in the development of Agra's metro transportation infrastructure.