Delhi-Meerut RAPIDX TBM Sudarshan 4.3 Records 2nd Breakthrough

Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd. (STEC) today celebrated tunnel boring machine Sudarshan 4.3’s second tunnel breakthrough at Sahibabad UP Ramp in Vaishali for the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut RAPIDX (RRTS) project.

This was Sudarshan 4.3’s final breakthrough and STEC’s sixth of eight tunnel breakthroughs planned for this semi high-speed rail project’s 5.6 km underground Package 4 (Sahibabad UP Ramp – Ashok Nagar DN Ramp).

Photo by NCRTC

This 7.5m diameter Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine’s parts had arrived at Anand Vihar RAPIDX Station from China in March 2022.

It was commissioned in July 2022 to build the 2.093 km down-line tunnel from Anand Vihar Station’s northern TBM Launch Shaft (chainage 12813.41) to Sahibabad UP Ramp (chainage 14907.00) located in Vaishali just south-west of Sahibabad RAPIDX Station. Along the way, it recorded its first breakthrough at a ventilation shaft in November 2022.

Route of New Ashok Nagar DN Ramp – Sahibabad UP Ramp of Delhi – Meerut RRTS Line – view project info & full map

STEC was awarded a contentious contract for the project’s 5.6 km Package 4 by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in December 2020 to build four tunnels between New Ashok Nagar DN Ramp – Anand Vihar – Sahibabad UP Ramp.

Photo by NCRTC

With this development, Sudarshan 4.3’s job is done! It’s become the 3rd of 7 machines, after STEC’s Sudarshan 4.1 and Afcons’ TBM S90 on Package 8 in Meerut, to complete all of its tunneling assignments.

The next breakthrough in Package 4 will likely be by Sudarshan 4.2 working on the Anand Vihar – Khichripur up-line tunnel. Back in April, NCRTC had reported that it had completed tunneling roughly 2.5 kms out of 2.82 kms.

For more updates, check out the RRTS section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

7 Responses to "Delhi-Meerut RAPIDX TBM Sudarshan 4.3 Records 2nd Breakthrough"

  1. Anand Asir A says:

    Hi TMRG
    Is there any INTER-CORRIDOR connection built between Chennai Metro corridor 4&5 in Porur for Poonamallee Depot trains to be used in corridor 5?
    As the elevated section of corridor 5 get completed first, is there a possibility of running train to OMR, IT corridor from it?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Hi, I’ll need to take a deeper look but haven’t seen a design for that. Procurement of trains on both lines are being funded by different agencies, so there’s a possibility of restrictions on CMRL being applied.

      Reply
  2. Vishal Saini says:

    I am sure Delhi Chandigarh metro will be built soon

    Reply
    • Virendra says:

      What is the use of these u/g tunnel metros system when it is not creating employment for civil engg. Etc.inspite so many NHSRCL-National high speed rail corporation wk.going on still there is unempoly- ment.

      Reply
      • rawen says:

        Who is responsible for overpopulation ?
        What is the use of condoms when people don’t use them ?

        Reply
  3. Kartik says:

    4 TBM’s for 4 tunnels. Thats how you complete projects quickly

    Reply
  4. Anand Asir A says:

    Hi TMRG,
    As per news articles
    Madras High Court directed Chennai Metro Rail Limited to Upload revised alignment map on website within 24 hours, and CMRL confirmed it as well but I see nowhere it is found.
    Is it updated in TMRG website?

    Reply

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