https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVVGQ4mjcRU

TERRATEC’s EPBM achieved a breakthrough in the Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System Project – Phase-IV, Contract DC-08 for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited in India.

TERRATEC marked this significant milestone with the successful breakthrough of its 6.61m diameter Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM) named “Sonakshi” on the Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System Project – Phase-IV, Contract DC-08. The achievement was celebrated by representatives from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) and contractor J.Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. along with the presence of a distinguished VIP guest, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs of India highlighting the collaborative effort behind this critical infrastructure development.

The breakthrough is part of the comprehensive 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase-IV project, with TBM S63B “Sonakshi” achieving its first breakthrough for the 6.51 km Package DC-08, connecting stations Aerocity to Kishangarh on the 23.622 km Golden Line (Line-10). TERRATEC has deployed four machines on this project, including the new TBM S111 “Narayani” for the 23.62 km Silver Line, refurbished EPBMs S63B “Sonakshi” and S64B “Shalini” for Line-3, and the recently refurbished TBM S94B, which successfully completed its Site Acceptance Test (SAT) on February 28. S94B is set to excavate a 1,556m-long tunnel from Vasant Kunj Station to Mahipalpur Station, further underscoring TERRATEC’s pivotal role in shaping India’s urban transit infrastructure.

This project highlights TERRATEC’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, with the machine being assembled in India using components sourced internationally, alongside high-quality locally manufactured equipment. The EPBM’s robust mixed-face dome-style cutterhead was specifically designed to tackle the challenging mixed ground conditions, including quartzite, sandy silt, and rock formations encountered along the alignment. The TBM mined through very challenging conditions, with rock strength exceeding 250 MPa in some locations, demonstrating its capability to handle extreme geological challenges.

source: TERRATEC press release.