Predicting the unpredictable in tunnelling

27 Jul 2021 CW Team

Tunneling for infrastructure projects is becoming more and more mechanised by use of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and other methods. However, the drill and blast method is more flexible as it is easier to adapt to varying profile requirements as compared to a TBM, which gives a circular cross section, especially for railway tunnels, resulting in a lot of over excavation in relation to the actual cross section needed.

Major tunnelling method used by L&T is the drill and blast method. “The goal of modern tunnelling technologies is to convert the unpredictable to predictable,” said Prabhukumar LT, Assistant General Manager of L&T ECC.

On the challenges faced in tunnelling, he said “Many projects are coming up near the Himalayan mountains. The Himalayan range are young mountains with highly varying geology, coupled with diversified problems such as difficult terrain conditions, thrust zones, shear zones, folded rock sequence, in-situ stresses, rock cover, ingress of water, geothermal gradient, etc., which makes them highly unpredictable. Major challenges faced by us are the geology and predicting things ahead. Due to unpredictable geology, safety is compromised during project work, which leads to extended project completion and cost over run.”

To read full article: Click here

Infrastructure Urban

30 Oct 2025

Infrastructure Opportunity Outlook by IMPACCT.Info

India’s infrastructure pipeline is witnessing dynamic activity across stages — from immediate bidding to future planning. IMPACCT segments these into three categories: Immediate, 3–6 Month, and Future Opportunities, enabling businesses to identify, prepare, and participate in high-value tenders and projects across sectors...To read the full article Click Here..

Serene Communities, Prathima Group Invest Rs 4 billion in Hyderabad

Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific, India’s largest senior living operator, has partnered with Prathima Group to develop two senior living projects in Hyderabad, marking its entry into Telangana. The collaboration represents an investment of Rs 4 billion, combining Serene’s international expertise with Prathima’s local development experience. The first project, Serene BILVANI One, launched in Shankarpally, is Hyderabad’s first premium senior living community. Designed for independent and active ageing, it features senior-friendly architecture, barrier-free design, and wellness..

India remains our most important market

Foundamental, the world’s leading venture capital platform focused on the project economy, has launched its third fund to strengthen its presence in India, APAC, and other global markets. Led by Berlin-based Managing Partners Shubhankar Bhattacharya and Patric Hellermann, Fund III aims for a final close by the end of 2025. In an exclusive interaction with CW, Bhattacharya shares insights on the fund’s mandate, India’s role in their strategy, and the opportunities they see in the construction-tech and project-based sectors. Can you briefly explain Fund III’s mandate and how In..