Agra Metro’s 4th TBM S115 Launched from RBS Ramp by Afcons

This past Friday was special. Besides TBM Ganga recording Agra Metro Priority Corridor’s final breakthrough and train trial runs beginning, Afcons Infrastructure – SAM India JV also commissioned their fourth tunnel boring machine (TBM) in northern Agra.

The consortium’s fourth TBM – a refurbished Terratec Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine with serial number S115 was launched to build a roughly 2.2 km tunnel for the up-line from RBS College Ramp towards Agra College Interchange Station on Agra Metro Phase 1 project‘s 7.93 km Package AGCC-02.

Along the way, the TBM will record two tunnel breakthroughs at RBS College Station and Raja Ki Mandi Station located on 14.25 km Line-1 (Sikandra – Taj East Gate).

TBM S-115 has an interesting history. It’s one of Afcons’ three machines (S88, S89 or S90) which was used to build 6 tunnels on 82 km Delhi – Meerut RRTS project’s Package 8 within Meerut city.

The machine with an original cutterhead diameter of 7.51m was downsized and reconfigured to meet Agra Metro’s tunnel requirements. A new cutterhead was attached which I believe has a diameter of around 6.52 meters.

Afcons Infrastructure – SAM India JV began lowering and assembling its parts at RBS College Ramp in November.

Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) had awarded Afcons – Sam India Consortium with underground Package AGCC-02’s Rs. 1819.79 crore civil construction contract in March 2022 with a 48 month deadline.

Their section from chainage 3630.000 to 11564.485 consists of twin tunnels connecting 7 stations at Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, SN Medical College, Agra College, Raja Ki Mandi and RBS College.

If my calculations are right then Afcons’ tunneling team will record a total of 10 breakthroughs between RBS College Ramp and Jama Masjid.

While we’re on the topic of RBS College Ramp, there’s at least another 9 months to go for construction work to start towards Sikandra. UPMRC had invited bids for its construction via 3.725 km Package AGCC-05 in November and the current technical bid opening date is January 19, 2024.

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– TMRG