• Source:JND
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) achieved a significant construction milestone on Saturday with the completion of the underground tunnel between Maa Anandmayee Marg and Tughlakabad Railway Colony station on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor of Phase IV, also known as the Golden Line. A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) successfully completed its breakthrough, marking the end of a 792-metre-long underground tunnel segment that began at Maa Anandmayee Marg, officials said.

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About Aerocity-Tughlakabad Tunnel

The tunnel, constructed at an average depth of 18 metres, is part of the 19.3-kilometre underground section of the 23.6-kilometre-long corridor. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly enhance east-west connectivity in South Delhi and offer a seamless interchange with the Violet Line at Tughlakabad.

The breakthrough event was attended by Delhi’s Health and Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, DMRC Managing Director Dr. Vikas Kumar, along with other senior officials. A parallel tunnel to facilitate up and down movement is also under construction and is expected to be completed by July 2026.

“This breakthrough is not just a technical achievement but a symbol of renewed momentum,” said Singh. “What was once stalled is now moving at full speed. Today’s event serves both as an inspection and a celebration. Going forward, we will further accelerate metro expansion and ensure that Delhi’s citizens receive the quality infrastructure and services they truly deserve,” minister Singh added.

About Aerocity-Tughlakabad Corridor

The Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor is one of three lines currently being developed under DMRC’s Phase-4 expansion. The other two include the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram extension of the Magenta Line and the Majlis Park–Maujpur extension of the Pink Line, according to officials. While the Pink Line extension is slated for completion by the end of 2025, both the Golden Line and the Magenta Line extensions are scheduled to be finished by mid-2026.

Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director of Corporate Communications at DMRC, stated that ground movement during the excavation process was meticulously monitored using precision instruments installed on nearby buildings. This was done to prevent any structural disturbances or surface settlement.

"All necessary safety precautions were taken during the construction of the tunnel below the existing built-up structures. Ground movements were monitored with highly sensitive instruments fixed on nearby structures, ensuring that there was no settlement anywhere," said Anuj Dayal.

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What Is TBM Used For?

A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is a specialised device used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross-section through a variety of soil and rock types. These machines are capable of boring through materials ranging from hard rock to loose sand, and have transformed tunnelling practices globally by allowing for construction without disrupting existing buildings or surface infrastructure. TBMs are especially valuable in densely populated urban environments where surface disturbances must be minimized. The DMRC has been utilizing TBMs since Phase I of its expansion. During Phase III, when around 50 kilometres of underground sections were constructed, nearly 30 TBMs were deployed across the national capital.