TBM Tejas records First Tunnel Breakthrough for Delhi Metro Phase 4 (Golden Line)

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Afcons Infrastructure has achieved a major milestone with the successful breakthrough of its Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Tejas at Maa Anandmayee Marg Station, a key point along the Delhi Metro’s 23.622 km Golden Line (Line-10). This new line, which will connect Aerocity to Tughlakabad via 16 stations, is set to transform connectivity in the city.

TBM Tejas (S-711), a refurbished Herrenknecht Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine, brings significant experience to the project, having previously operated in Chennai Metro’s Phase 1 between 2014 and 2018. In November 2023, Tejas commenced tunneling for Delhi Metro’s Phase 4 project, specifically for Package DC-07, which covers a 6.981 km stretch connecting Sangam Vihar Station to Sarita Vihar Depot.

Tejas began its tunneling journey from the Airforce Launch Shaft near Sangam Vihar and successfully traveled a distance of 2.674 km in just 14 months, achieving an impressive average excavation rate of 191 meters per month through a mix of soil and hard rock strata.

Delivering Progress on a Tight Timeline

Afcons Infrastructure was awarded the Rs. 1,669.20 crore contract for Package DC-07 by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in January 2022, with a strict 42-month deadline. This section will link three key stations—Maa Anandmayee Marg, Tughlakabad Railway Colony, and Tughlakabad—and will serve as an interchange with the Violet Line.

Tunneling for the parallel up-line tunnel was completed in December 2024 by TBM Amrit (Robbins 372), and both TBMs will now focus on building twin tunnels between Maa Anandmayee Marg and Tughlakabad Railway Colony, expected to span 810 meters.

Milestone for Golden Line’s Construction

With this achievement, Afcons has now recorded its second tunnel breakthrough for Package DC-07, adding to the overall success of the Golden Line project. So far, six breakthroughs have been recorded for the line, with Afcons contributing two for Package DC-07, L&T achieving four for Package DC-09, and J Kumar yet to make a breakthrough for Package DC-08.

In addition, Afcons has recently completed the casting of approximately 8,300 tunnel ring segments at their Mundka casting yard, an essential part of the tunneling process. This development paves the way for more exciting updates in the coming months.

The successful tunneling and ongoing progress on the Golden Line highlight Afcons Infrastructure’s dedication to meeting the project’s challenging timelines. As work continues, the Golden Line promises to be a game-changer for Delhi, enhancing urban mobility and reducing congestion across one of the city’s busiest corridors.