Delhi Metro to Surpass New York as Largest Network by December

Delhi Metro to Outpace New York Metro with World’s Largest Single-City Network by December. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Delhi Metro will surpass New York by December. He spoke at a tunnel breakthrough event about its 12-km expansion.

Delhi Metro Expands with Golden Line Breakthrough

Khattar revealed the network will exceed 399 kilometers, topping New York Metro’s current record. The Aerocity-to-Tughlakabad stretch, he noted, will secure this global milestone.

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Currently, Delhi Metro operates a strong 394-kilometer network, Khattar stated at Vasant Kunj. He added India’s metro systems rank third globally, spanning 1,000 kilometers total.

Khattar predicted India will soon hold the second-largest metro network, just behind China. Moreover, he stressed metro projects are progressing swiftly across 29 states.

On February 25, engineers marked a key Phase 4 milestone with a tunnel completion. The underground link from Chhatarpur Mandir to IGNOU Station boosts connectivity.

A giant Tunnel Boring Machine broke through at IGNOU, finishing a 1,475-meter tunnel. Senior officials, including DMRC’s Vikas Kumar, attended this significant event.

Crews built two parallel tunnels for the corridor, ensuring efficient up-and-down travel. The new tunnel, averaging 26 meters deep, stands among the deepest.

The deepest tunnel, on the Magenta Line at Hauz Khas, reaches 30 meters underground. For this project, workers installed 1,048 rings, each 5.8 meters wide.

Experts used Earth Pressure Balancing Method technology, applying precast concrete rings for lining. A mechanized yard in Mundka cast these rings, steam-curing them.

Tunneling kicked off on December 4, 2023, tackling steep gradients and tough geology. Crews replaced a damaged screw auger, keeping the project on schedule.

Delhi Metro Leads with Advanced Tunneling Technology

Safety stayed top priority, with no ground settlement reported despite nearby structures. Sensitive instruments monitored buildings, confirming stability throughout the construction process.

Phase 4 includes 40.109 kilometers of underground lines, with 19.343 kilometers here. Tunnel Boring Machines, key for urban tunneling, reduce surface disruption effectively.

These machines cut through varied strata, from hard rock to soft sand effortlessly. Globally, they’ve revolutionized tunneling in busy city environments like Delhi.

The system has used Tunnel Boring Machines since launching Phase 1 in 1998. The first section, Shahdara to Tis Hazari, opened on December 25, 2002.

Phase 1 finished in 2006, followed by Phase 2 in 2006 and Phase 3 in 2011. Phase 4, started in 2019, keeps expanding this ambitious network.

During Phase 3, engineers deployed about 30 Tunnel Boring Machines for 50 kilometers. This effort cemented the capital’s status as a metro construction pioneer.

Source: www.tribuneindia.com

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