Tunnelling Tips

24 Jun 2024 CW Team

Rail, road, metro, hydropower, irrigation, water and sewerage projects are boosting demand for tunnelling machines in India. With tunnelling projects in the roads sector alone valued at Rs 2 trillion, the opportunity is huge. CW asked a few experts what’s driving their choice of equipment, and how they put their machines to the best use.

Outcome-driven decision

Circular TBMs aren’t well suited to road tunnels because of the width limitation associated with this technology; also, TBMs are not found economical for short tunnels, explains Vinod Shukla, Managing Director, FGS Engineers & Innovators and Co-Chairman of the Tunnel Council, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). At present, his company is engaged with 7.5 km of tunnelling across three tunnels for the ECOR railway project in Odisha, using the NATM technology. The project has deployed Sandvik boomers along with Tata Hitachi and Sany excavators.

To read the full story, CLICK HERE.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..