FCC

Tunnelling Tips

2024-06-24

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.