According to officials, the National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) commences the tunnelling work at Anand Vihar for the first regional rapid transit system (RRTS) corridor in India between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.

Under the tunnelling process, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) of 90 m has started the construction of a tunnel between Anand Vihar to the New Ashok Nagar side.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad Meerut RRTS corridor of 82 km has 25 stations, comprising two depots along with one stabling yard. The complete stretch is expected to be ready by 2025.

An NCRTC official told the media that the TBM consists of a screw conveyor, cutter head, front, middle, and tail shield along with several other parts that help in boring the tunnels efficiently.

According to the officials, the tunnel rings are constructed using the tunnel segments by the TBM. Usually, seven tunnel segments are utilised to make the tunnel ring, however, the RRTS tunnels are going to be different and bigger than the metro systems because of the larger rolling stock.

The diameter of the tunnel is 6.5 m. This TBM will build about 3 km of the tunnel between Anand Vihar and the New Ashok Nagar side. The TBM retrieving shaft is being constructed at Khichripur near New Ashok Nagar.

Officials added that four TBMs shall be launched at the Anand Vihar station. Out of which, two of them will be for a drive between Anand vihar and New Ashok Nagar side while the other two for a drive between Anand vihar and the Sahibabad side.

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Also read: Tunnelling work starts at Anand Vihar for India's 1st RRTS corridor