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Incredible India: Machines on the Move in Agra and Delhi

India’s metro network has undergone extensive growth in recent years, and is showing no signs of slowing. Multiple Robbins machines are part of tunneling work in cities across India, including Agra and Delhi.

Agra Metro: From First Site Acceptance…

On February 16, 2023 the Robbins crew and contractor SAM India celebrated the site acceptance test for the first of two 6.65 m diameter EPB TBMs at Agra Metro. The machine began boring a 1.3 km long tunnel in soft soils, for Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

The Robbins team celebrates a successful site acceptance test for the first of two Robbins EPBs at Agra Metro.

The Robbins EPBs, seen during their Factory Acceptance, are designed for soft soils.

To Second Site Acceptance…

With the first TBM well into tunneling, a second 6.65 m Robbins EPB underwent site acceptance on April 13, 2023 to bore a parallel 1.3 km long tunnel in soft soils. The crew gathered for a ceremony before sending the TBM on its way.

The crew gathers for the site acceptance ceremony of the second Agra metro EPB.

To First Breakthrough!

Just a few days later on April 26, 2023 the first machine made an intermediate breakthrough into a station site, completing the Jama Masjid to Agra Fort stretch of the metro. The machine bored a total of 345 m in sand and clay, and broke through to a celebration by the crew and project teams.

The crew anticipate the first breakthrough of the Robbins EPB at Agra Metro.

The Robbins EPB breaks through to much fanfare at Agra Metro.

New Delhi Metro: Machines Ramping Up

On February 27, 2023 the first of two 6.65 m diameter EPBs for the Delhi Metro (owner is Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) was completed in the Robbins Gurgaon, India facility. The mixed ground machine will bore a 3 km long tunnel through rock with some gravel, sand, silt and clay for contractor Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.

The first of two TBMs set to bore in mixed ground at Delhi Metro, during the factory acceptance in February 2023.

A second machine factory acceptance followed in April 2023. Both machines are scheduled to launch on parallel tunnels this summer.

The second Delhi Metro EPB, designed to bore in mixed ground conditions.

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