India

Maha: Metro Line 7A underground tunnel breakthrough successfully completed

Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Apr, 2025 12:03 PM

Mumbai, April 17 (IANS) The breakthrough of the 1.65-kilometre underground tunnel on Mumbai Metro Line 7A, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (T2) to Andheri East, was successfully completed on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The tunnel is being constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The Chief Minister reviewed detailed information about the project from officials and initiated the breakthrough by pressing the button. He later inspected the work on-site. This particular tunnel is located on the downline of Metro Line 7A, between the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport station and the Airport Colony station.

This metro link is a crucial segment of the Mumbai metropolitan area's expanding metro network. With this line, Mira-Bhayander and further up to Vasai-Virar will be connected to the international airport. Eventually, the Thane and Navi Mumbai International Airports will also be linked via metro. Currently, 59 per cent of the total work on Metro Line 7A has been completed.

According to the MMRDA, Metro Line 7A stretches over 3.4 kilometres, 0.94 km is elevated, and 2.5 km is underground. The line will have two stations: one elevated at Airport Colony and the other underground at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Out of the total length, 0.57 km is elevated, while the twin tunnels are 2.035 km long.

The first tunnel drive for the downline began on September 1, 2023. The 1.65-km tunnel includes 1,180 pre-cast rings used for lining, each ring specially designed and divided into six parts, with a tunnel diameter of 6.35 meters.

In September 2023, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was lowered 30 meters underground.

Despite multiple engineering challenges, passing under Metro Line 3, the Sahar Elevated Road, major sewer and water pipelines, the breakthrough was completed successfully. This new line will allow passengers to travel comfortably from Colaba to Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayander. It will also provide seamless integration with other metro lines in the city, including Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ), which connects to the underground airport station.

The blend of elevated and underground alignments ensures minimal land usage in densely populated airport zones, enabling a smoother metro construction process.

Prev Next

MORE India ARTICLES

Go to people, apprise them about achievements, Punjab CM tells MLAs

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, eyeing to win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state based on the historic mandate for his AAP in the 2022 Assembly elections, on Wednesday held a meeting with all MLAs of Sangrur. He asked them to run a positive campaign where AAP leaders will go to the people and apprise them of the government's works and achievements in the past two years.

Go to people, apprise them about achievements, Punjab CM tells MLAs

PM Modi hails India’s coal production crossing 1 billion tonnes for first time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India crossing 1 billion tonnes in coal and lignite production during 2023-24, “marks a historic milestone for the country, reflecting our commitment to ensuring a vibrant coal sector.” Hailing the achievement as a “remarkable development,” PM Modi said, “This also ensures India's path towards Aatmanirbharta in a vital sector.”

PM Modi hails India’s coal production crossing 1 billion tonnes for first time

Excise policy case: Delhi court to hear ED's arguments on Manish Sisodia's bail plea on April 6

A court here on Tuesday heard former Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's bail application with arguments focusing on the alleged delay in completing the investigation in connection with the probe into the excise policy case. Senior advocate Mohit Mathur for Sisodia, argued that despite 11 months passing since the investigation concluded, there has been no evidence linking Sisodia to the alleged bribe money.

Excise policy case: Delhi court to hear ED's arguments on Manish Sisodia's bail plea on April 6

Akali Dal files complaint against minorities panel head for 'political activities'

The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against National Commission for Minorities Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura for "openly and illegally participating" in political activities of the BJP while holding the constitutional post and urged the poll panel to take strict action against him.

Akali Dal files complaint against minorities panel head for 'political activities'

ED’s reply to Kejriwal’s plea: Multiple routes used for transferring money to Goa identified

In its reply filed in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday to a plea challenging Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the excise policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that on examining the money trail backward, multiple routes were identified through which the money was transferred.

ED’s reply to Kejriwal’s plea: Multiple routes used for transferring money to Goa identified

Adani Ports handles record 420 MMT cargo globally with impressive 24 pc growth

The company handled its highest ever monthly cargo volumes (including international ports) of over 38 MMT in the month of March alone. During FY24, more than one-fourth of all India cargo volumes was routed through the APSEZ ports.