The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of the Golden Line, which will eventually connect Aerocity on the Airport Express Line to Tughlakabad on the Violet Line. The DMRC announced the successful completion of an 865-metre underground tunnel near Chhatarpur, marking a critical step forward in the development of this 23.62-kilometre metro line, scheduled for completion by mid-2026.
This latest achievement was accomplished using a massive 97-metre Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which broke through the final underground section near the Chhatarpur Mandir station on Wednesday. The breakthrough was celebrated by senior officials, including the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, the Delhi Transport Minister, the Delhi Chief Secretary, and the Managing Director of DMRC, all of whom were present to witness the event. The Golden Line is poised to become a vital addition to Delhi’s metro network, offering enhanced connectivity between the city’s southern and central regions. Once operational, it will facilitate a seamless journey for commuters travelling between Aerocity, a key hub for the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and Tughlakabad, a significant residential and industrial area.
According to DMRC officials, approximately 47% of the civil work on the Golden Line has been completed to date, with the corporation prioritising the completion of underground sections. The Chhatarpur tunnel, in particular, represents one of the most challenging parts of the project, given the area’s dense urban landscape and the technical complexities involved in tunnelling operations. The completion of this tunnel not only underscores the progress being made on the Golden Line but also highlights the DMRC’s continued commitment to advancing Delhi’s metro infrastructure despite the challenges posed by urban construction. With this breakthrough, the DMRC has demonstrated its capability to meet critical project timelines, keeping the Golden Line on track for its 2026 launch.
As the project advances, the DMRC’s focus will remain on accelerating the remaining civil works while ensuring that the construction adheres to the highest safety and quality standards. The completion of the Chhatarpur tunnel is a testament to the DMRC’s engineering prowess and its role in shaping the future of public transport in the National Capital Region. The successful tunnelling at Chhatarpur is expected to pave the way for further advancements in the project, bringing the Golden Line closer to fruition. This line is anticipated to significantly ease congestion on existing metro lines and reduce travel time for thousands of daily commuters.
