Record-breaking feat: Afcons Infrastructure completes longest tunnel for Delhi Metro’s Phase-IV expansion

Afcons Infrastructure Limited has set a groundbreaking benchmark in the Delhi Metro’s Phase-IV expansion by completing the longest tunnelling drive between the Tughlakabad Airforce Launching Shaft and Maa Anandmayee Marg Station. This marks a significant milestone in India’s metro rail development, with Afcons demonstrating expertise in engineering and construction.

The tunnelling achievement was made possible by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) AMRIT, which successfully bored through a challenging 2.65-kilometre stretch of mixed soil and hard rock strata. This engineering feat required meticulous planning to navigate beneath sensitive heritage structures along Mehrauli Badarpur Road. Experts have highlighted this as a testament to the project’s commitment to precision and sustainability.

Speaking on the occasion, senior officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), including Director of Projects and Planning Rajiv Dhankher, applauded the engineering team for overcoming technical and geological challenges. Afcons’ Managing Director, S Paramasivan, noted that frequent cutter replacements were necessary to progress through the demanding terrain, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of their approach.

The milestone is part of the larger DC-07 package under the Aerocity to Tughlakabad Corridor, also known as Line-10, spanning 23.62 km in total. This package comprises three underground stations: Maa Anandmayee Marg Station, Tughlakabad Railway Colony Station, and Tughlakabad Station. It also includes 11.26 kilometres of tunnelling, a 223-meter ramp, and a 119-meter cut-and-cover section.

The 105-meter-long TBM installed 1,894 rings with an inner diameter of 5.8 meters at an average depth of 16 meters. Two parallel tunnels are being constructed for up-and-down movement, with the breakthrough of the second tunnel anticipated in January 2025.

Afcons Infrastructure Limited, a flagship company of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is renowned for executing complex engineering projects in India and globally. As per the latest ENR survey, the company ranks among the Top 120 international contractors and holds notable positions in the marine and bridge construction sectors. This project underscores its reputation as a leader in delivering cutting-edge infrastructure solutions.

For the Delhi Metro, this achievement enhances connectivity and aligns with the city’s vision for a sustainable, efficient urban transport system. As metro networks expand, such engineering milestones promise to drive development and reduce urban congestion significantly.