Tunnel construction started for the Agra Fort-Taj Mahal Metro Railway Line

• 22 May 2023

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on 21 May 2023, the metro railway line construction between Agra Fort and Taj Mahal will be completed soon. After making the first breakthrough in a record time of 77 days, TBM Yamuna has started construction of the tunnel towards the Taj Mahal Metro Station.

Key Points:

• It is known that before Agra, the metro started in many districts of Uttar Pradesh. But the metro work in Agra is also special because Agra Metro Rail Project is the first such project where the first breakthrough has been done in a record time of just 77 days after the TBM launch.
• TBM Yamuna was launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in February. After this, TBM Yamuna completed the tunnel work from the powerhouse to Agra Fort by making the first breakthrough in 77 days.
• The construction of the underground metro line by TBM is mainly divided into 3 phases. The first stage in the process is the initial drive, in which the TBM starts digging the channel from the launching soft.
• In this step, the temporary rings are fitted manually. During this, the thrust jacks fitted in the machine propel the TBM forward with the help of these temporary ring segments. After this, the TBM reaches the main drive. The TBM constructs the tunnel by drilling as well as by installing permanent ring segments. After this, the TBM machine comes out by breaking through at the other end.