New Austrian tunnelling to be used in Vizhinjam tunnel

21 May 2024 CW Team

The low-cost New Austrian Tunnelling Method will be used in Vizhinjam to construct the third-largest railway tunnel in the country. It is the first subterranean road in the nation built with low-cost, contemporary drilling and blasting technology rather than the costly tunnel boring machine approach. It doesn't require a lot of room either. It only takes 5.5 hectares of land instead of the originally needed 65 hectares because it is an underground road. In order to reinforce the sides, New Austrian Tunnelling employs drilling that involves breaking and grinding the rock in accordance with its structure and nature.

The detailed project report (DPR) for the subterranean railway that will be built for container movement at Vizhinjam port was authorised by the project construction committee, which was presided over by Chief Secretary Dr. V Venu. Construction is the responsibility of Konkan Railway. The port to main railway line at Balaramapuram is connected by a 10.76-kilometer route. 9.5 kilometres of this are underground. It is anticipated that the subterranean road would be finished in 42 months. The tunnel will take three years to build. The port is now nearing completion.

The first phase will be inaugurated in September. A trial run will be held next month after bringing containers on two huge barges.The other two largest railway tunnels in the country are the 12.75 km tunnel, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link and the 11.2 km long Pir Panjal. Container removal will be by road until the construction of the railway is completed. For this, the port road was widened by connecting it with the Kanyakumari highway. The construction will be done jointly by the port company and the state government. Central assistance will also be sought to find the money.

Infrastructure Transport

11 May 2026

Shivraj Chouhan Launches PMGSY IV and Announces Package for Madhya Pradesh

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) IV at Bhairunda in Sehore district during the 25 year celebrations and announced a development package for Madhya Pradesh. The programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and attended by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, ministers of state, state ministers, legislators and senior officials from the centre and the state. The minister said the central government under the Prime Minister is committed to strengthening rural livelihoods through improved connectivity, housing and women's in..

DMR Engineering Reports FY 25-26 Financial Results

DMR Engineering reported its half year results for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 and published full year figures on a standalone basis. Standalone revenue from operations decreased by 2.01 per cent year-over-year to Rs 102.58 million (mn), while profit after tax declined by 43.94 per cent to nine point five six mn, leaving a profit after tax margin of nine point zero five per cent. Earnings per share stood at Rs zero point nine two, a fall of 44.71 per cent year-over-year. The company attributed part of the decline to one-off provisioning for bad debts and additional financing charges..

Atlanta Electricals Posts Strong FY26 Growth And Debt Free Finish

Atlanta Electricals reported audited consolidated results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026. The company recorded significant year-on-year revenue growth driven by capacity ramp-up at new facilities and higher utilisation at legacy plants. The announcement summarised operating improvements and strategic milestones achieved during the year. For Q4 the company reported revenue of Rs 7.48 bn and for FY26 revenue of Rs 18.52 bn, representing robust growth versus the prior year. EBITDA in Q4 was Rs. 1.49 bn and Rs. 3.44 bn for the full year, with margins expanding to 20 per cent in the q..