The university line

The metro line to Delhi University is not the campus8217;s only link to the Delhi Metro. Since 2001, the university8217;s Department of Geology has been giving invaluable backend expertise to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation...

Delhi University8217;s Department of Geology has lent its expertise to the Delhi Metro

The metro line to Delhi University is not the campus8217;s only link to the Delhi Metro. Since 2001, the university8217;s Department of Geology has been giving invaluable backend expertise to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation DMRC, especially for the construction of underground lines.

8220;I feel proud to have contributed to the development of our city,8221; says Dr Manoj Chowdhary, guest lecturer at the Geology Department. Before joining the department, Chowdhary was the chief geologist in Hindustan Zinc Ltd.

8220;Our association with the DMRC started well before Delhi even dreamt of having a metro,8221; says Chowdhary who has recently completed a Ph.D in Earthquake Studies. 8220;The Department of Science and Technology approached us to inspect the sub surface structure of the line between Viswavidyalaya and Central Secretariat, through drilled holes. We prepared a three-dimensional sub-surface structure so that they knew the hardness, grain size and texture of the soil well before the digging started.Instruments such as the GPR Ground Penetration Radar were used to scan the sub-surface till about 25 metres, says Prof C. S. Dubey of the Geological Department.

A geological fault was discovered in the Chawri Bazaar area and the DMRC was stuck at the same point for four months, remembers Chowdhary.

The Geology Department also prepared a sub-surface model for the whole city, which included geological and geotechnical modelling. Liquefaction hazard maps and seismic activity hazard maps too were prepared. The whole city was divided into four zones8212;from low/no risk to high-risk zones.

8220;This information was invaluable and essential for DMRC. The underground digging as well as the placement of the pillars was to be done keeping all this information in mind,8221; adds Chowdhary. 8220;During our research we found two faults running through Delhi which went unnoticed all this time. These two faults, one from Faridabad to Rohtak and the other from the Yamuna near Red Fort to Sonepat, put all the included area at a high risk to seismic activity.

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Their work is not over yet. 8220;At many places, construction of the metro is in its early stages and we will continue to work hand in hand with the DMRC,8221; says Chowdhary. And what did he feel when he rode the metro? 8220;Having been a part of this project is a matter of pride for me,8221; says Chowdhary.

Apart from contributing to the building of the metro, the Geology Department has also provided geotechnical and geological analysis for all hydroelectric projects in India.