L&T: Potential of Tunnelling for India's Economic Growth

India’s underground construction industry is undergoing a seismic transformation. Driven by rapid urbanization, strategic infrastructure needs, and technological advances, the nation is tunnelling through mountains, rivers, and mega cities

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khali, Vice President Operations - Tunnel & UG Works, G R Infraprojects Limited, discusses the construction of Desilting Chambers and Connecting Tunnels for Vishnugad Pipalkoti HE Project, and highlights the planning process

As India accelerates its transition toward sustainable energy, nuclear power is emerging as a crucial pillar of low-carbon electricity generation. In this context, the innovative use of tunnels and underground spaces is redefining how nuclear

We are building tunnel segments efficiently, sustainably, and with precision for strength and durability, avers André Dienst, Managing Director.

The diaphragm or slurry wall technique, as discussed by Dr. N. Subramanian, represents a major advancement in modern underground construction. It offers significant benefits, including excavation stabilization, effective groundwater barriers

Instrumentation and monitoring are crucial for ensuring safety, stability, and quality in tunneling projects. With tunnels and metro lines being constructed worldwide, it is essential for geotechnical engineers to understand the risks

Dr. Tanumaya Mitra, Sudip Kumar Koley, Padma Tiruvengala, Naru Raju, and Prodyot Kumar Ray, at ITD Cementation India present the ground Improvement requirement for a TBM launching under Shallow Overburden close to a seashore.

When seawater penetrates concrete in road tunnels, a biofilm is formed that breaks down the concrete. This can lead to high costs and the risk of damage if stone and concrete drop from the tunnel roof. In a new study, carried out in

On February 17th, 2025, Tunnel boring machine "Shuangjing No.1" with an excavation diameter of 4.48 meters was off the production line at the second industrial park of China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI) in Changsha.

Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Founder and Managing Director, Chaitanya Projects Consultancy, gives an inside view of how Chaitanya Projects skilfully maintains the arterial Quazigund-Banihal Tunnel in J&K, and explains the technical intricacies

In recent years, shotcrete technology for underground rock support has seen significant advancements, particularly with the integration of digital technologies like SmartScan and other IoT-based innovations. SmartScan, a cutting-edge

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khali, Vice President - Operations, (Tunnel, UG Structures & Hydro Power), G.R. Infraprojects Ltd., describes the construction of the Tehri Pump Storage Project (4X250 MW) and the innovative technologies in Vertical Shafts

On December 18th, 2024, the FAT ceremony of mining TBM exported to Africa was held in Changsha, China. This equipment, manufactured by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI), will be applied in the tunnel

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khali, Vice President Operations-Tunnel & UG Works, G R Infraprojects, and Sharanappa Yalal, Cluster Head, J&K, Hindustan Construction Company, highlight the planning process, execution challenges, innovations

Encouraged by the growing business opportunities in tunnel construction for transportation infrastructure in India, Robbins India is establishing an integrated, in-house manufacturing setup in the country. This was announced

On November 22, 2024, the open-type rock TBM with an excavation diameter of 11.93 meters (the largest of its kind in China), rolled off the assembly line of China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI).

On October 31, 2024, a super-large diameter shield machine with a maximum excavation diameter of 16.64 meters rolled off the production line in Changsha, Hunan. It will be used in the construction of the world's longest underwater highway

Tunnelling has played a crucial role in shaping India's infrastructure landscape. From the early hand-drilled techniques employed during railway construction in the 1800s to the state-of-the-art technology driving modern metro projects

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, emphasizes the importance of robust infrastructure for economic growth and outlines the government's ambitious plans for investing in high-quality tunnels, bridges, and roads.