AAMAR METRO

PRESS RELEASE

KOLKATA

TBM ‘DIVYA’ ACHIEVES BREAKTHROUGH AT VICTORIA METRO STATION

ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JOKA–ESPLANADE METRO CORRIDOR

Kolkata, 11 August 2026

Another significant chapter was added to the glorious history of Metro Railway, Kolkata today, 11 August 2026, as Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Divya’ successfully achieved breakthrough at Victoria Metro Station.

The breakthrough took place at around 12:00 hrs in the presence of Shri Prem Sagar Gupta, General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata, senior officials of Metro Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), L&T, the executing agency, and other distinguished guests.

This successful breakthrough marks the completion of the second tunnel from Khidderpore to Victoria Metro Station, tunnelling work for which commenced o­n 11 October 2025.

It may be recalled that TBM ‘Durga’ had already achieved breakthrough at Victoria Metro Station o­n 10 July 2026. With the breakthrough of TBM ‘Divya’, tunnelling of both tunnels between Khidderpore and Victoria has now been successfully completed, marking substantial progress in the construction of the Joka–Esplanade Metro Corridor (Purple Line).

The successful breakthrough of TBM ‘Divya’ is a testimony to the engineering excellence, meticulous planning, teamwork and dedicated efforts of all stakeholders associated with the project. This achievement represents another important step towards strengthening Kolkata’s urban transport infrastructure and providing commuters with faster, safer, reliable and sustainable Metro connectivity.

Speaking o­n the occasion, General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata, appreciated the commitment and teamwork of the project personnel who ensured safe, systematic and efficient tunnelling while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety, without disturbing the surface traffic and normal activities in this densely populated part of the city.

For this tunneling work a launching shaft having size of 37 m length x 22 m wide x 17 m deep was constructed inside the St. Thomas School, Khidderpore. The 6.60 m diameter (outer) TBM was manufactured at Chennai and mobilized to Kolkata in the month of March 2025 for subsequent assembling and lowering. Two TBMs are being used for construction of twin tube tunnels from Khidderpore to Park Street, beyond which tunnelling will be done by conventional Cut & Cover method.

To cater to the effects of high ground water table and soft soil condition in the city of Kolkata, Earth Pressure Balancing (EPB) Type TBMs are being used to burrow the tunnels.

The TBMs, having length of 95 m and weighing approx. 600 tons, are equipped with inflatable seal, pressure transducers TSG Lines and Backup TSG Pump as an additional precaution considering the soil strata of Kolkata. Precast concrete segments of M50 Grade having thickness 275 mm are being used to achieve a finished tunnel having 5.80 m diameter.

TBM DIVYA has completed boring the tunnel from Khidderpore to Victoria, having a total drive length of 1.72 km, in the presence of General Manager, Metro Railway.

The Joka–Esplanade Metro Corridor is an important addition to Kolkata’s expanding Metro network and will significantly improve connectivity to the central business district upon completion.

Metro Railway remains committed to developing modern, safe and sustainable public transport infrastructure and contributing towards the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat through world-class urban mobility.

AAMAR METRO — PROUDLY MOVING KOLKATA FORWARD