J Kumar’s Delhi Metro Silver Line TBM Sonakshi Passes Factory Tests

Tunnel boring machine manufacturer Terratec on Friday completed factory acceptance tests (FAT) on TBM S63B (Sonakshi) for constructing Delhi Metro’s 23.622 km Silver Line which will connect Aerocity – Tughalakabad via 16 stations.

This refurbished 6.61m diameter Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine will the second of three machines to be deployed by J Kumar for building twin tunnels on 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 project‘s 6.116 km Package DC-08 between Aerocity – Kishangarh.

Back in 2018-2020, this Ø6.61m dual-mode Terratec TBM, then nicknamed as Godavari-3, was deployed by J Kumar – CRTG JV to build 2 tunnels for Package UGC-05 of Mumbai Metro’s 33.5 km Line-3 (Aqua Line).

Following its final breakthrough at the Dharavi Station in March 2020, it was dismantled and taken to J Kumar’s yard (view on Google Maps) in Chenna village on Ghodbunder Road for refurbishment.

The machine, now nicknamed as Sonakshi, will be deployed by J Kumar likely from Aerocity Station where J Kumar’s team began diaphragm wall (D-wall) works in March.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had awarded J Kumar with 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4’s Rs. 1611.74 crore contract for Package DC-08 in March 2022 with a 42 month deadline.

J Kumar’s 6.116 km Aerocity – Kishangarh section is on the western-end of the line and comprises of twin tunnels, and 4 stations at Aerocity, Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj & Kishangarh from chainage (-) 760 mt. to 5356.285 mt.

Besides this machine J Kumar will deploy another refurbished machine (S64B from Mumbai’s Line-3) and a brand new machine whose serial number I’m currently unaware of. TBM S64B, nicknamed Shalini, passed FAT back in April – see images here.

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– TMRG