Kolkata Metro Railway achieved a major engineering milestone on Friday after Tunnel Boring Machine Durga successfully broke through at the under-construction Victoria Metro station. The breakthrough took place at around 10.30 am and marked the completion of the first phase of underground tunnelling on the up-line towards Park Street along the Joka-Esplanade Metro corridor, also known as the Purple Line.

The massive tunnel boring machine completed its underground drive by piercing through the final barrier and entering the open reception shaft at Victoria station. The breakthrough was celebrated by engineers and project workers gathered inside the underground cavern, with chants of “Vande Mataram” marking the completion of the tunnelling phase.

TBM Durga is a massive machine measuring around 90 metres in length and weighing approximately 650 tonnes. The machine excavated soil and created the tunnel section as part of the underground construction work on the Purple Line. Its successful arrival at Victoria station represents an important step in developing the corridor through central Kolkata.

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The milestone marks the flawless completion of the first phase of underground tunnelling on the up-line facing Park Street. Construction of underground metro sections in densely developed urban areas requires careful engineering and coordination, making the breakthrough a significant achievement for teams involved in the Joka-Esplanade corridor project.

The Purple Line is being developed to connect Joka with Esplanade and expand metro connectivity between the city’s southern areas and central Kolkata. The Victoria station is one of the important underground stops along the route, and the completion of this tunnelling phase moves the project closer to further construction and infrastructure work.

The successful breakthrough by TBM Durga adds another milestone to the expansion of Kolkata’s metro network. Further work will continue on the remaining sections and station infrastructure of the Purple Line as authorities advance the Joka-Esplanade corridor. Once completed, the route is expected to strengthen public transport connectivity across key parts of the city.

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