Delhi Metro continues breaking through The DMRC has achieved tunnel breakthrough on Delhi Metro’s Phase – III project at the Lal Qila Metro station thereby completing the tunnelling on the under-construction Kashmere Gate – Lal Qila stretch of the Central Secretariat – Kashmere Gate Corridor. The Terratec TBM emerged at Lal Qila metro station site after making a 1351m long tunnel from Kashmere Gate. This TBM was lowered at Kashmere Gate shaft on 6th December 2014 and after assembly the initial drive began on 26th December 2014. The maximum depth of the tunnel is 16m below the earth’s surface. The tunnel passed beneath the existing Kashmere Gate elevated Metro Station. The distance of between the tunnel wall and Pile of the existing metro station is 1.2m. The tunnel also passed under the historical Dara Shikoh Library, Lothian Bridge (Delhi – Shahdara Northern Railway Line), Magazine Gate and Ambedkar University. EPBM technology was used to bore and line the tunnel. A total of 967 rings have been placed. Each ring has five segments (each 275mm thick) and the length of one segment is 1.4m. The internal diameter of the tunnel is 5.8m. The casting of the segments was done at the Mundka Casting Yard. M/s Metrostroy Era JV is the contractor for the tunnelling work of the stretch from Kashmere Gate to Lal Qila metro station. The stations at Kashmere Gate and Lal Qila are also being constructed by the same contractor using Cut & Cover technique. Another TBM is working on the 1356m long Down Line. This section is a part of the 9.37km long Central Secretariat – Kashmere Gate corridor. The section from Central Secretariat to ITO which is 4.2kms long is already operational for the general public. September 9, 2015
