DMRC's Deep Dive: Engineering a New Era for Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has successfully completed tunneling on its deepest underground section in Phase 4, achieving a tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough at the IGNOU station site.

This tunnel, part of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad Corridor (Golden Line), links Chhatarpur Mandir to IGNOU at an average depth of 27 meters, reaching a maximum of 39 meters. The parallel tunnel was completed on February 25, 2025, marking the completion of tunneling for both tracks. DMRC utilized the Earth Pressure Balancing Method (EPBM) to install 1,048 precast concrete rings with an internal diameter of 5.8 meters. Despite facing geological challenges such as steep slopes, mica deposits, and hard rock, the TBM's screw auger was successfully replaced after sustaining damage during operations.

The breakthrough event was attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. As part of the 40.1-km Phase 4 expansion, which includes 19.3 km of underground sections, DMRC has achieved three TBM breakthroughs in the past month, highlighting its rapid progress while minimizing surface disruptions.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.