The February 2023 completion of the $59 million expansion of the Delhi Metro Rail network in Delhi, India, is the latest phase of construction for India’s largest rapid transit system. The Penetron System was extensively used to ensure the durability of the underground concrete structures.
Delhi is both a city and India’s national capital territory, and one of the country’s largest urban agglomerations with over 18.3 million inhabitants. The city of Delhi consists of Old Delhi, the historic city, and New Delhi, the capital of India since 1947. The national capital territory embraces Old and New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, as well as adjacent rural areas, which are served by the Delhi Metro system. Operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the Delhi Metro is the largest rapid transit system in India, with a total network length of 391 km (243 miles), and 12 metro lines serving 286 stations.
DMRC awarded the DC-06 project of the 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 expansion to the Hindustan Construction Company–Vensar Constructions Company (HCC–VCCL) joint venture in 2020. HCC-VCCL carried out the construction of twin tunnels from the Vikaspuri Park Shaft to the Vikaspuri Ramp near Keshopur Station, and a new underground station at Krishna Park Extension, extending the Magenta Line (Line 8).
“Penetron India collaborated with the HCC-VCCL project engineers to provide a durable concrete waterproofing solution, in particular for the tunnel sections and the new Krishna Park Extension underground station,” explains Sushil Kathar, Managing Director of Penetron India. “The contractor chose our products thanks to superior performance at the dosage specified for this project when compared to competitive waterproofing products.”
PENETRON ADMIX was used to treat 51,000 m3 (66,700 yds3) of concrete mix for the tunnel walls and roof, as well as the foundation slab and walls of the new underground station. PENEBAR SW-45, swellable waterstop strips, were used to seal the resulting construction joints of the base and roof slab. PENETRON, a cementitious integral crystalline waterproofing slurry, was applied to 3,800 m2 (41,800 ft2) of the Krishna Park Extension underground station roof slab. Once applied, the active ingredients in Penetron's crystalline products create a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete to optimize waterproofing protection.
“Proven in similar municipal projects around the world, using the Penetron System enhances the durability and impermeability of the concrete,” adds Sushil Kathar. “It also provides concrete with the ability to self-heal and seal cracks up to 0.5 mm wide, substantially reducing maintenance and repairs.”
![The concrete tunnel sections of the 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 expansion in Delhi, India were waterproofed using the crystalline products of the Penetron System.](/images/opt/images-project_image-Delhi-Metro-Phase-4-Expansion-18aa87e.jpg)
Concrete built to last: The concrete tunnel sections of the 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 expansion in Delhi, India were waterproofed using the crystalline products of the Penetron System.
![The Krishna Park Extension underground station is the highlight of the recently completed $59 million expansion of the Delhi Metro Rail network in Delhi, India.](/images/opt/images-project_image-Delhi-Metro-Phase-4-Expansion-281.jpg)
Dry and durable concrete by Penetron: The Krishna Park Extension underground station is the highlight of the recently completed $59 million expansion of the Delhi Metro Rail network in Delhi, India.