Construction work begins on underground section of Delhi Metro Phase IV

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) on 17th July 2020 commenced construction work of the underground section of Phase IV on the Janakpuri West – RK Ashram Marg corridor. As part of the work, construction of the D Wall, as well as the casting of tunnel segments of the 28.92-km long corridor, was formally started by the workers of HCC-VCCL JV. "The work commenced for the construction of D Wall at the Krishna Park Extension Metro station and the tunnel segments shall be used for tunneling with Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) on a 1.4-km stretch between Janakpuri West and Keshopur. In addition, this approximately 2-km long stretch will also have the Krishna Park Extension station in between as well as a 365-metre cut and cover open ramp near Keshopur leading to the elevated section," said an official release issued by DMRC.

The Janakpuri West – RK Ashram Marg Metro corridor consists of a total of 7.74 km of underground lines. The commencement of this important component of construction work was also witnessed by DMRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Mangu Singh and other senior officials via video conferencing. D Walls or Diaphragm walls are structural concrete walls constructed in deep excavation based projects. Diaphragm walls are often used at congested sites, close to existing structures, where there is restricted headroom, or where the excavation is of a depth that would otherwise require the removal of much greater volumes of soil.

The excavated area is secured by these walls and then the construction work of the underground station is commenced. This technology has been used for Delhi Metro’s underground stations right since Phase 1. According to DMRC, the tunnels segments are being cast at the casting yard developed at Mundka. The yard will make a total of 2,100 rings for the tunnelling work.

DMRC today commenced construction work of the underground section of Phase 4 on the Janakpuri West – RK Ashram Marg corridor. As part of the work, construction of the D Wall as well as the casting of tunnel segments of the 28.92 kilometre long corridor was formally started. pic.twitter.com/bFWWjr74aX

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) July 17, 2020

This work was awarded to HCC-VCCL JV in January this year on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis with a contract value of Rs 489 crore (contract package DC-06). In spite of all constraints like the shortage of labourers and materials due to lockdown, the milestone could be achieved on time. On the 24th June 2020, the casting work of u-girders for the same corridor was started by the team of KEC Internation Limited. The 28.92 km long Janakpuri West – R. K Ashram Marg corridor is an extension of Magenta Line and will come up with 22 stations.

Construction work on this particular section had started in December last year. Under Phase IV of Delhi Metro Rail project, 61.679 kilometres of new Metro lines shall be constructed across three different corridors comprising 45 Metro stations. These new sections shall provide interconnectivity among the already operational sections of Delhi Metro. Out of this, 22.35 kilometres will be underground. For more details, please explore our Delhi Metro section or subscribe to our premium membership.