A significant accomplishment was marked as the tunnel between Anand Vihar and Sahibabad for Rapid X’s Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) corridor was declared ready on Tuesday. The construction of this tunnel posed unique challenges for the National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) compared to its counterparts. The complexities involved navigating obstacles such as drains, industrial zones, bus depots, and high tension lines without causing any damage. According to a spokesperson from Rapid X, the tunneling work commenced last year.
Completion through Remote Control Activation
The Vaishali retrieval shaft played a pivotal role in this lengthy process. The tunneling Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) successfully traversed the tunnel being developed in front of Vaishali Metro, emerging in the morning hours. This marked the completion of the 2-kilometer tunnel stretching from Anand Vihar to Sahibabad. As a result, the tunneling initiatives for the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor reached fruition. NCRTC Managing Director Vinay Kumar Singh was present during the tunnel breakthrough event at Vaishali. With a ceremonial press of a remote button, he initiated the breakthrough. Balloons and flowers adorned the tunnel on this celebratory occasion.
Rapid Progress in Less Than 18 Months
Remarkably, the tunneling efforts for the RRTS corridor concluded in under 18 months. The underground segment of the country’s inaugural RRTS corridor, which spans a total of 12 kilometers, saw the deployment of seven advanced Sudarshan Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) to create parallel tunnels. On the elevated sections of the corridor, covering 70 kilometers, approximately 80% of the viaduct work is now complete. The construction of RRTS tunnels involved more than 80,000 pre-cast segments.
Comprehensive Tunnel Network
Four tunnels in total have been constructed to facilitate train movement on both directions from the Anand Vihar underground Rapid X station in Delhi. Two parallel tunnels, each approximately 3 kilometers long, link the Anand Vihar station to the New Ashok Nagar station. Additionally, two parallel tunnels spanning approximately 2 kilometers connect the Anand Vihar station to the Sahibabad station.
Meerut, another crucial location, boasts three underground stations: Meerut Central, Bhainsali, and Begumpul. The intricate network involves six parallel tunnels connecting these stations. Tunneling activities in Meerut began with the launch of Sudarshan 8.1 in April 2022 and concluded with the construction of the sixth and final tunnel in July 2023. Overcoming challenges such as navigating densely populated urban areas, maneuvering beneath drains and the foundations of old buildings, and negotiating sharp turns, demonstrated the unwavering dedication and meticulous attention invested in the project.
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