TBM Makes Breakthrough at Delhi Metro’s Golcha Mid-Shaft

5 days after Era-Metrostroy’s final breakthrough for CC-07 at the Violet line’s Lal Qila Station for Delhi Metro’s Phase 3 project, there has been yet another breakthrough on the line! This time, L&T-SUCG’s STEC Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) made a breakthrough yesterday morning at CC-05’s Golcha mid-shaft in Daryaganj. The TBM was originally commissioned from the Delhi Gate station in November 2015 and excavated approximately 450 meters for the line’s up-line tunnel to make a breakthrough.

Although the TBM reached the shaft last week, the shaft wasn’t quite ready to receive it.  SUCG’s TBM workers were off on Monday to celebrate the Chinese New Year (fun fact – this is the year of the Monkey), so that caused a further delay in accomplishing this milestone. Otherwise, this would have been the 3rd breakthrough of the week after the ones at the Mayapuri Shaft & Lal Qila station.

The shaft is not yet visible on Google Maps, so here’s a view from TerraServer with a link for you to explore.

Satellite view of CC-05’s Golcha mid-shaft

Under the Delhi Metro Phase-III project, the Violet Line is currently being extended by a distance of 9.37 km from Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate. Out of this, the 3.03 km Central Secretariat – Mandi House stretch became operational on June 26 2014 and the .972 km Mandi House – ITO stretch on June 8 2015 – See: Delhi Metro’s History. All tunnels north of the ITO station are now complete except for CC-05’s twin tunnels between Delhi Gate & Jama Masjid where the L&T – SUCG JV had deployed 3 TBMs.

Map of Delhi Metro’s 9.37 km Violet line extension – view Delhi Metro Phase 3 map

When this line becomes operational in 2017, it will offer an alternate route between the Central Secretariat and Kashmere Gate Stations and help in easing the crowds on the busy Yellow Line. The Kashmere Gate station will then house platforms for 3 lines (first of its kind in Delhi) and provide a new & direct connection between the Red & Violet lines.

Here are some images from the breakthrough. Unlike TBM receiving shafts at stations, the space here is quite tight with no spot within it to take a nice overview image.

Breakthrough at Golcha shaft – Photo Copyright: Birju Bhai Sadram

Photo Copyright: Birju Bhai Sadram

Does the site look a little too messy? That’s because there was a small collapse within the shaft at 10 am. For the rest of the day, L&T’s crew was busy clearing up the mess so that the TBM can be quickly pushed, dismantled and brought out over the next 30 days.

With this breakthrough, the Violet line’s up-line tunnel is almost complete. After this TBM’s parts are taken out, the other TBM which has been patiently sitting stuck just 3 meters north of Golcha midshaft will make a breakthrough in March. The TBM building the parallel down-line between Jama Masjid & Delhi Gate has another 140 meters to go and is now expected to make a breakthrough in March as well.

Before I sign off, I just want to point out that 4 more TBM breakthroughs for Delhi Metro’s Phase 3 project are expected this month. In no particular order:

• Magenta line – At the Aravali/AIC mid-shaft from the Vasant Vihar station for the down-line tunnel. The parallel up-line tunnel was completed in January 2015. See: #TBT – Delhi Metro Completes Palam – Shankar Vihar Tunnels
• Magenta line –  At the Panchsheel Park station from the Chirag Delhi station for the down-line tunnel. The parallel up-line tunnel was completed in December 2015. See: Delhi Metro TBM Makes a Breakthrough at Magenta Line’s Panchsheel Park Station
• Magenta line – At the Nehru Enclave station from the Greater Kailash station for the up-line tunnel. The parallel down-line tunnel has completed roughly 1/3rd of its journey and is expected to make a breakthrough in April.
• Pink line – At the Mayapuri shaft from the Naraina Vihar station for the up-line tunnel. The parallel down-line tunnel was completed earlier this month. See: TBM Makes Breakthrough at Delhi Metro’s Mayapuri Shaft

After these 4 TBM breakthroughs are completed, both the Pink & Magenta lines will each have 6 more breakthroughs to go.

For more updates on the Delhi Metro’s Phase 3, check out the Delhi section of The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG