Naoki Watari From TERRATEC shares insights on Next-Gen, Sustainable & Competitive Construction Equipment
By combining robust engineering with efficient power systems and sustainable design thinking, we continue to support India’s infra development goals, while maintaining the highest standards of performance and safety in underground construction.
Naoki Watari, Commercial Manager
As per your assessment, what strategies and growth opportunities will drive competitiveness in the fast-developing tunnelling and underground construction of India?
India’s tunnelling and underground construction market has evolved at a remarkable pace, driven by sustained infrastructure investment, rapid urbanisation, and a strong policy focus on expanding metro and transport networks. This growth has translated into increasing demand for technically advanced and reliable Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).TERRATEC Limited, a subsidiary of JIM Technology Corporation of Japan, has three industrial giants as its shareholders, namely, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Corporation, and JFE Engineering Corp. TERRATEC has been at the forefront of India’s tunnelling transformation for more than a decade, having helped in delivering some of the nation’s critical metro projects. Our uncompromising commitment to safety, performance, and reliability, has positioned us as the most trusted TBM partner in India.
Looking ahead, competitiveness in this dynamic landscape will hinge on three key strategies: engineering adaptability to diverse ground conditions, efficient project support through local expertise, and continuous innovation to improve machine performance and lifecycle efficiency. With our strong record, proven technology, and collaborative approach with clients and contractors, TERRATEC is well-positioned to support India’s next wave of underground infrastructure development.
What innovations or design improvements has TERRATEC introduced to reduce energy consumption, improve resource efficiency, and support sustainable tunnelling practices?
Sustainability has become an integral part of tunnel construction globally, and India’s commitment to net zero by 2070 reinforces the importance of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible tunnelling practices.Our latest generation of Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) and Slurry TBMs are designed with high efficiency cutterhead drive systems, which significantly reduce overall energy consumption during excavation. In addition, optimized hydraulic circuits and intelligent control software help lower operational losses and enhance system efficiency.
TERRATEC also places strong emphasis on component reuse and modularity, enabling refurbishment and redeployment of TBMs across multiple projects. This not only reduces manufacturing footprint but also promotes a circular approach to equipment lifecycle management.
We are also advancing digital monitoring and automation technologies that support predictive maintenance and reduce unnecessary downtime. These innovations help contractors achieve faster progress with lower energy intensity and minimal material waste.
As India becomes one of the largest TBM markets in the world, with growing emphasis on local manufacturing and after-sales support, what steps is the company taking to strengthen its engagement with Indian contractors and projects?
As one of the world’s largest and most active TBM markets, India continues to be a major focus for TERRATEC. We are recognised as the leading supplier in the metro tunnelling segment, with our TBMs playing a pivotal role in the successful delivery of key underground projects across the country.Besides the metro projects in all the main cities of India, our TBMs are also being used in the construction of water tunnels from sewage projects in Mumbai to hydroelectric projects in the Himalayas. We work closely with contractors from project inception to tunnel breakthrough and have formed long-standing partnerships with the largest contractors in the country, namely, TATA Projects, Hindustan Construction Company, J. Kumar Infraprojects, NCC, and many others. Repeat orders are a testament to the reliability of our equipment.
What initiatives has TERRATEC taken to promote inclusivity, diversity, and skill development within its workforce?
The company fosters a truly diverse and inclusive working environment, reflecting the international nature of the tunnelling industry. With projects all over the world, in countries like Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, Philippines, Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, our team represents a broad mix of nationalities, cultures, and professional backgrounds.This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It allows the exchange of engineering expertise and practical know-how across regions, ensuring that lessons learned in one market can enhance project delivery in another. Within India, we engage with our customers’ local engineers and technicians, contributing to knowledge transfer and skill development in the domestic tunnelling sector.
To promote long-term capability building, the company invests in technical workshops and hands-on mentoring programs. These initiatives empower local teams to take on more advanced roles and strengthen the overall project ecosystem.
By combining global experience with local talent development, TERRATEC continues to build a collaborative and inclusive culture that supports sustainable growth across all markets.
As a global tunnelling technology provider, how is TERRATEC LTD driving innovation in India through advancements in TBM design, automation, and digitalization? Could you also highlight key innovations or showcase elements at EXCON 2025 that reflect TERRATEC LTD’s commitment to sustainability, service excellence, and customer satisfaction?
TERRATEC continues to lead the way in tunnelling innovation by delivering custom-engineered solutions that address India’s increasingly complex underground challenges. A recent example is the development and successful operation of sharp curve radius TBMs for the Mumbai Sewerage Tunnel project, the first of its kind in hard rock conditions in India. This achievement demonstrates the company’s advanced design capability and precise control systems, enabling contractors to negotiate tight alignments safely and efficiently where conventional TBMs would face limitations.
TERRATEC is investing in digitalization and artificial intelligence to enhance tunnelling efficiency, safety, and predictive maintenance. In collaboration with project partners, we are integrating AI-driven data analytics to monitor machine performance and optimize excavation parameters in real time, supporting the ongoing technological transformation of the industry.
At EXCON 2025, we will showcase our latest innovations in energy-efficient TBM systems, intelligent control platforms, and remote monitoring tools. These advancements reaffirm the company’s position as a trusted global tunnelling technology provider, which is continuously evolving to meet the demands of India’s next generation underground infrastructure.
Published on:
02 December 2025
Published in: NBM&CW DECEMBER 2025
Share:
We Value Your Comment
