• Source:JND
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The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) deployed for Metro Line 7A achieved a major milestone on Thursday, successfully completing the 1.647 km downline tunnel connecting Andheri East to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSMIA). 

The first tunnel breakthrough by MMRDA marked the milestone for an underground metro project in the city. The tunnel has a diameter of 6.35 metres and was constructed using a dual-mode  hard rock TBM. 

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Work on the tunnel began in September 2023 and, despite facing challenging geological conditions, such as a steep gradient and an overburden clearance as low as 1.5 metres—it advanced steadily without significant disruptions.

Metro Line 7A is an extension of the operational Metro Line 7 (Dahisar East–Andheri East) and spans 3.4 km, of which 2.5 km is underground. The line will provide direct connectivity from Andheri East to CSMIA Terminal 2 and offer seamless interchanges with Metro Lines 1, 6, and 9.

Once operational, the tunnel is expected to significantly ease road traffic to the airport and enhance both east-west and north-south connectivity across Mumbai. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) overcame several critical challenges along its route, including tunneling beneath the Sahar Elevated Road and Metro Line 3 near the P&T Colony, where the clearance between tunnel crowns was just 6.2 metres. Continuous monitoring ensured safe operations even under live traffic.

The breakthrough was marked by the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (IAS), and senior IAS officers Vikram Kumar and Ashwin Mudgal. 

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According to MMRDA officials, 59% of the overall work on Metro Line 7A has been completed. The project is being carried out by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in close coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and other relevant agencies.