World Tunnel Congress 2024 Wraps up Successfully in Shenzhen China

The 2024 World Tunnel Congress, hosted by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) and organized by the China Civil Engineering Society, opened in Shenzhen on April 22nd. The WTC is the premier annual event of the ITA and is considered the most attended tunnelling conference in the world. This prestigious event is visited by leading experts and professionals from the tunnelling industry worldwide to discuss innovations, trends, and the future of tunnel construction. This year's edition is the second WTC to be held in China. Chengdu City in the southwestern province of Sichuan became the first Chinese city to host the event in 1990.

China has built 8,543 km of subways, 5,100 km of underground pipe corridors, and more than 50,000 km of railway tunnels and highway tunnels, making it a country with the maximum number of tunnels in terms of number and scale, and the fastest construction of new tunnels in the world.


This year's WTC congress, themed "Tunnelling for a Better Life," attracted over 3000 participants, including experts, scholars, and industry representatives from 65 countries and regions. With an exhibition area spanning 20,000 sqm, the event brought together 193 renowned companies from across the global tunnel engineering industry, and featured 195 academic presentations on 15 topics and offered 8 technical visit routes. An exhibition featured the latest products and technologies in tunnel engineering with a focus on technological breakthroughs, green and low-carbon, digital, intelligent, and innovative solutions.

This year, the event was hosted by the Tunnel and Underground Engineering Branch of the China Civil Engineering Society. Jinxiu Jenny Yan, Immediate Past President of ITA and Co-chair of the Organising Committee, welcomed senior government officials of China and the United Nations. Dignitaries included Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations; Yi Jun, Chairman of the China Civil Engineering Society and Chair of the WTC2024 Organizing Committee; Qin Weizhong, Mayor of Shenzhen; Chen Yun, Chairman of China Railway Group Limited; and Arnold Edward Dix, current President of ITA, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Also present were Wang Hui, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; and Zhang Liwei, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen.


At the Opening Ceremony, honoured guest Minister Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, described how China’s investment in underground infrastructure has improved the lives of millions across the country and how his Ministry is facing the real challenges of the coming decades due to continuous urban expansion; the real and present effects of climate change, and the urgent need for urban and rural connectivity. Ni Hong emphasized that “tunnels and underground engineering are integral components of infrastructure, providing essential support for improving living environments, enhancing public services, and ensuring urban safety.”

The Chinese government adheres to the principles of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared benefits, continuously promoting the development of tunnel and underground engineering. China has become the world's leader in terms of the quantity, scale, and speed of tunnel construction. Tunnel and underground engineering projects facilitate efficient resource utilization, improve people's livelihoods, and promote rapid socio-economic development.

Ni Hong stated that China has embarked on a new journey towards building a socialist modernized country and will vigorously promote the transformation of urban underground pipe networks, construct urban subways and underground corridors as per the local conditions, and advance the construction of vital urban lifeline safety projects, creating liveable, resilient, and smart cities. He expressed the willingness to work with international counterparts to promote high-quality development of tunnel and underground engineering through technological innovation, green and low-carbon initiatives, safety management, and international cooperation.

Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized that there is an urgent need to increase efforts to bridge the infrastructure and investment gap in developing countries and to prioritize climate change and equity in action. Tunnels and underground spaces are not only engineering marvels but also key tools for achieving sustainable development. Integrating underground spaces into urban planning is crucial, requiring strict adherence to safety standards and attention to economic viability.

He informed the audience that UN-Habitat is willing to deepen cooperation with the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES), integrating infrastructure projects with urban planning. “By tapping into the potential of underground spaces, we can build tighter communities and high-quality public spaces, collectively advancing the goals of the 2030 agenda and promoting the sustainable development of the tunnelling and underground space industry,” he said.

Yi Jun, Chairman of the China Civil Engineering Society and Chair of the WTC2024 Organizing Committee, stated that the rapid development of the Chinese economy has provided a broader application scenario for tunnel and underground engineering construction. “Today, China has shifted from high-speed development to high-quality development. The door of China's opening-up will only open wider, and its connection with the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) will become increasingly close.”

He informed that the Chinese Society of Civil Engineering will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with ITA-AITES, working together to build a beautiful global village through tunnel construction, enabling people to lead better lives because of tunnels.


Qin Weizhong, representing the Shenzhen Municipal Committee and the Government, emphasized that as a mega-city with ultra-high density and massive flow, Shenzhen attaches great importance to the development, construction, technological innovation, and industrial development of tunnels and underground spaces.

“We will strongly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on promoting the development of engineering science and technology. With the guidance and support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, we will fully absorb the outcomes of this conference, strengthen exchanges and interactions with global research institutions, companies, and expert talents in the field of tunnel engineering. Together, we will promote technological innovation, dissemination of achievements, and industrial cooperation in tunnel engineering, and make greater contributions to the high-quality development of the international tunnel industry, and create a better world,” he said.

Chen Yun, Chairman of China Railway Group Limited, expressed that the ITA and the World Tunnel Congress play important roles in the global tunnel industry's development. “As the host unit of the 2024 World Tunnel Congress, it is a great honor to gather with friends and experts from all over the world in the beautiful city of Shenzhen, to jointly witness the academic event of tunnelling and discuss the bright future of the global tunnel industry.”

He informed that China Railway Engineering Group Limited (CREC) is a significant participant and practitioner in China's tunnel construction and underground space utilization. CREC has achieved multiple breakthroughs in tunnel construction technology. The total mileage of various tunnels constructed exceeds 20,000 km, with construction technology for tunnels and urban subways at the forefront domestically, and some technologies reaching world-leading levels.

Eight projects undertaken by CREC have won awards from ITA, making it the Chinese enterprise with the highest number of awards. Looking to the future, CREC will actively utilize international exchange platforms such as the World Tunnel Congress to enhance technical exchanges, deepen international cooperation, and work with colleagues from around the world to actively promote the continuous advancement of tunnel and underground engineering construction technology.

As the host of the congress, Arnold Edward Dix, President of ITA, emphasized that the Pearl River Delta has witnessed rapid modernization in China, with underground infrastructure playing a crucial role. “The Pearl River Delta region has made tremendous progress in transportation, water resource management, and other aspects, thanks to advanced underground tunnel and space engineering technologies. People have also enjoyed a better quality of life through environmentally friendly and climate-adaptive designs,” he told the gathering.

He informed that ITA, by promoting underground technology, innovation and application, is bringing solutions for improving the lives of billions of people worldwide, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, safe transportation, and sustainable energy.

“I am confident that participants will actively exchange and learn from these technologies and experiences, working together to address global poverty, disease, and environmental challenges, and create a better life for all humanity,” he concluded.


Professor Dr Priscilla P Nelson of the USA and Colorado School of Mines, in the Muir Wood Lecture titled Underground Resources for a Sustainable Global Future, presented clear and accredited facts about the inequality of human existence across the world, the state of the workforce in engineering, and the lack of qualified professionals, particularly in developed countries. “There is a generation of engineers reaching retirement and they will never be replaced. We simply are not educating those who could take over.” As an example, Dr Nelson illustrated that a university of mining in China produces more qualified mining engineers in a year than all the universities of mining study in the USA combined. “In the future, the new generation of mining engineers will be Chinese,” was the reality check.

The keynote lecture by Professor Dr Hehua Zhu at the Geotechnical Engineering at Tongji University, Shanghai, discussed the topic ‘Development and Applications of Intelligent Tunnel Construction: The State-of-the-art and Future Perspectives.’ The presentation demonstrated how advanced China is in developing intelligent tunnelling systems to reduce the uncertainties in the excavation process and improve the quality, safety, and operating durability of creating and managing underground public infrastructure.

There were two plenary Roundtable discussions that explored the ‘Challenges and Path of Developing Future Tunnelling Technology’ and considered the use of ‘Tunnels and Underground Space Towards Sustainable Development'. The upshot of the discussion was that the ultimate purpose of an excavated underground space is how it will impact lives. The task of the engineer is to design and excavate that space as efficiently, safely and cost effectively as possible and to pass over an underground structure that is fit for its purpose, is durable, and can be maintained efficiently.


The 1st Roundtable was moderated by Andre Assis of Brazil and past President of ITA, with panelists Rick Lovat, Canada; Jenny Jinxiu Yan, China; François Renault, France; Wojciech Mleczko, Poland; and Goh Kok Hun, Singapore, all of whom agreed that introducing new innovations into the industry can only be achieved with teamwork, including owners and financiers.

The 2nd Roundtable was moderated by Sanja Zlatanic of USA and Andrea Pigorini of Italy and panelists included Mrs Buniyamin, WFEO-World Federation of Engineering Organizations Executive Council Member from Malaysia; ITA President Arnold Dix, Australia; Ke Fang, Director General of the Implementation Monitoring Department of the AIIB-Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank; Samuel Huckle, Member of the ITA Young Members Steering Board and a civil engineer; Sheng Ying, National Officer of UN-Habitat China Office; and Alexis de Pomerol, Société des Grands Projets (SGP) of France.


ITA 50th year anniversary: For the ITA family, the big occasion of the Congress was the celebration of the Association’s 50th year anniversary. This was commemorated in a special plenary session at which all 17 Presidents of the Association since its founding in 1974 were honoured. Seven of the 17 were in person at the WTC in Shenzhen – Günter Girnau, Germany, 1980-1983; Alfred Haack, Germany, 1998-200; Andre Assis, Brazil, 2001-2004; In Mo Lee, S Korea, 2010-2013; Soren Eiskesen, Denmark, 2013-2016; Jenny Jinxiu Yan, China, 2019-2022; and current President Arnold Dix of Australia, 2022-2025. All are joined in the photograph by current and past members of the ITA Executive Council. Another four Past Presidents were present via a video presentation - Einar Broch, Norway, 1986-1989; Sebastiano Pelizza, Italy, 1995-1998; Martin Knights, UK, 2007-2010; and Tarcisio Celestino, Brazil, 2016-2019. Another six were remembered in spirit – Founding President Alan Muir Wood of UK, 1974-1977; Heinz Fischer, Switzerland, 1977-1980; Jack Lemley, USA, 1983-1986; Colin Kirkland, UK, 1989-1992; Dan Zdenek Eisenstein, Canada, 1992-1995; and Harvey Parker, USA, 2004-2007.


A booklet charting the history of the ITA and a book celebrating 50 Iconic Projects of the last 50 years were launched.

From Roundtables to collaborative Working Groups, insightful WG remodelling forums, technical sessions, and AGM, the Congress was a whirlwind of activity. Young members, especially, infused the event with energy. The week focused on sustainable development aided by the use of underground space assisted by new technologies, an area where the new generation can play an active role. The delegates also witnessed a vast array of equipment, machines, materials, new systems, and services displayed by the companies in the exhibition hall.

Participation of Experts from India

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khali, Vice President-Operations (Tunnel & Underground Works), GR Infraprojects Limited, represented India in the General Assembly of ITA. He also chaired a technical session on ‘Conventional Tunnelling in Challenging Conditions’ and presented a case study of the construction of Tunnel T - 49A on the Dharam-Qazigund section of Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla New BG railway line project in highly adverse geological conditions.

Research papers of Sachin Gavhane, MIT World Peace University, M. Shakeel Chouhan, Vice President Projects, Patel Engineering Ltd and S K Gupta (Director- Projects, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation), Subodh Kumar Gupta, Sailesh Adhikari, S.L Kapil were also presented.


S K Gupta presented the efforts made by MMRC in minimising the impacts on the local habitat in the relocation and construction of a large cavern for track crossover at Acharya Atre Chowk Metro Station. Various factors leading to the complex situation and multiple engineering options exercised for successful completion of large cavern track crossover were put forth; these were highly appreciated by the international tunnelling fraternity who applauded the project and hoped that it would change the way Mumbaikars travel.

SK Gupta informed that a study on the pros and cons of the usage of steel decking vis-a-vis concrete decking for traffic and logistical management in the construction of Mumbai Metro Line 3 was carried out and the experience published in the WTC 2024 and presented in a poster. Merits and demerits on aspects of environmental, economic, ease of construction, implementation timelines, etc were also deliberated upon.


India took the initiative to establish the Asia Pacific Group of ITA member nations at the regional level to more effectively address common challenges. The inaugural meeting of the group was held on April 22, 2024, during the WTC 2024, with representatives from 12 countries in attendance. Sunil Sharma, advisor to TAI, delivered a presentation on the objectives of forming this group. He emphasized that regional meetings offer significant opportunities for interaction and the exchange of experiences, thereby facilitating the cost-effective resolution of similar problems.


Chandan Vaidya of Beakart organised a live demonstration of Testing of SFRC beam at its Beakart booth. Rushi Randeria represented India in ITAym activities.

Personnel at ATES (Advanced Technologies and Engineering Services) - a business sub unit within 90+ Years AIMIL shared their experiences in Investigation / Interpretation / Modeling / Construction Controls using Instruments / Performance Based Reverse Analysis / Real Time Monitoring / Post Construction Ground & Structures Performance etc. AIMIL, a pioneer in Instrumentation and its applications, supported by local engineering, has a strong presence in NATM Tunnelling, Hydro Caverns, Slope Stablization, Under Ground Engineering - Urban and Green Fields, both etc. AIMIL has also earned credentials in Structural Health Assessment and Audit of Post Construction NATM works due to its expertise in Existing Condition Assessment and Monitoring.

What made WTC China'24 one of largest Tunnel Congress ever:

• 3,000 registered delegates both in-person and online
• More than 60 countries represented
• More than 200 exhibitors in 20,000 sqm exhibition hall
• High ranking officials of China in attendance
• Special guests representing the United Nations
• A clarion call Muir Wood Lecture
• Roundtables on vital topics
• More than 200 papers presented in five sessions
• More than 300 Poster Session presentations
• Eight organized Technical Tour visits
• ITA celebration of its 50th year Anniversary
• ITA business progressed at ITA General Assembly

Participation by Global Players

China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd., as a supporting unit and top sponsor of the 2024 World Tunnel Congress, has repeatedly represented China's tunnel industry on the international stage, including in international tunnel associations and academic forums. It has played an active role in promoting China's tunnel industry across the world.


One of the leading TBM manufacturing company, CREG showcased its latest technologies and comprehensive solutions that address the challenges of modern tunnelling and help in shaping the future of tunnel construction. The CREG team met with industry peers, shared knowledge, and explored potential collaborations that would drive the industry forward.

China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI) exhibited its wide product range for underground construction, including its innovations in TBM, mining, drilling, and blasting equipment. Major attractions were the first large-slope spiral TBM ‘Beishan No. 1’ (the world’s largest), and the company’s first China-made 16-meter, ultra-large diameter TBM ‘Jinghua’. The Beishan No. 1 has been used in underground laboratory projects. It has the potential to achieve a horizontal turning radius of 200 meters and a vertical curve radius of 380 meters for spiral excavation, marking a new breakthrough in technological research on underground engineering equipment in China. The Jinghua was used in the Beijing East Sixth Ring Road reconstruction project, which completed tunnelling and made a breakthrough on June 28th, 2023. During construction, it achieved a maximum daily advance rate of 24 meters and a maximum monthly advance rate of 542 meters, helping in the breakthrough of the first line of China's longest expressway TBM tunnel.

In recent years, CRCHI has taken advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen its technological innovation and marketing. CRCHI products have been exported to over 40 countries including Italy, India, Singapore, Turkey, Qatar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Peru etc.


At the exhibition, CRCHI also demonstrated its digital capabilities such as AR, VR, L screen, and quadruple surround screen that displays manufacturing processes, operations, and key project features in 3-D for a panoramic view. The latest achievements in the field of digitalization have a fascinating immersive experience to the audience. CRCHI will continue to focus on its R&D and manufacturing of world-class underground construction equipment and solutions for global customers.

There was a large contingent from SYSTRA Subterra, SYSTRA SWS, SYSTRA India, and SYSTRA France. The group’s presence at the conference was highlighted by José Miguel Galera's technical session on the “hybrid” tunnel - an innovative solution for urban tunnels in soils. The case of Américo Vespucio Oriente AVO1, in Santiago de Chile.


Tim Brown, its Executive Director for Tunnels expressed his pleasure at attending WTC 2024 with 15 of the group’s tunnelling specialists and meeting 2,500 of the best in the tunnelling business from all around the globe. “There is no better place than Shenzhen to highlight what is possible. The city's population has grown to over 15 million residents to become globally recognised. In the last 20 years alone, they have developed 20 metro lines with Line 1 opening in 2004. If this is the precedent, then the future is bright."

Experts from AECOM presented over 20 technical papers on the latest tunnelling and underground technology.

Jiangxi Siton, a well-known supplier of a comprehensive range of equipment for tunnelling and underground construction, made a grand appearance with its underground products, including the Z20 full-method straight-boom drilling jumbo, the XTGT multi-function Arch Lifting Jumbo, and 9 types of hydraulic rock drills and drilling tools. The Z20 Jumbo, Siton's flagship multi-boom rig jumbo, has been utilized in the construction of numerous projects. The XTGT series vertical Arch Jumbo is a new type of tunnel construction machine with multi-functions like steel arch installation, anchor bolt and mesh installation, auxiliary prying, and ventilation pipe operation. It has a unique structure of three arms and three manipulators whereby each arm can realize automatic grasping of arch frame and fine-tuning of manipulator end, which can realize high-efficiency vertical arch operation and mechanized construction operation.

Jiangxi Siton also took the opportunity presented at the WTC platform to share its latest research and development to both domestic and international customers. It is committed to providing customers with differentiated, customized, and complete sets of high-end equipment through continuous innovations. Its aim is to establish Siton as a globally renowned brand in the field of underground and tunnelling equipment manufacturing.

In addition to the ones mentioned, hundreds of other companies have showcased their products and solutions. Some notable examples include Herrenknecht, Robbins, Curetech, ZITRON, Fischer, Kryton, Liebherr, Roc Science, Poclain, Maccaferri, Sika, Bekaert, and Sapen, among others.

At the closing ceremony, the participants extended their heartfelt thanks to host ITA Member Nation China for staging such an impressive and enjoyable event; the baton for the next WTC and General Assembly was passed to Member Nation Sweden which will stage the event in Stockholm in May 2025.