₹40,000 Crore Investment to Drive India’s Tunnel Projects

India is witnessing a surge in tunnelling infrastructure, with the construction of 69 tunnels spanning 134 kilometres, backed by an investment of ₹40,000 crore. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared these insights during the second edition of FICCI’s Tunnelling India conference, highlighting the government’s focus on enhancing the nation’s tunnelling projects. Alongside the ongoing constructions, 35 tunnels covering 49 kilometres have already been completed, reflecting a total investment of ₹15,000 crore.

The government’s ambitious plans include constructing an additional 74 tunnels stretching across 273 kilometres, with an estimated investment of ₹100,000 crore. Emphasising the need for adopting advanced technologies, Gadkari urged for cost-effective solutions that do not compromise the quality of infrastructure. His remarks pointed out the urgency of integrating new technological innovations, such as precast technology and push-back techniques, to tackle the frequent challenges posed by the country’s difficult terrains, particularly in the Himalayan region, which is prone to landslides and other natural obstacles.

In light of these challenges, Gadkari also stressed the significance of performance audits to ensure that projects are completed efficiently. “Performance audit is more important than financial audit,” he remarked, reflecting the government’s emphasis on delivering quality and sustainable infrastructure. He further raised the possibility of reusing materials excavated during tunnel construction to save costs and promote sustainability in road-building projects. By considering ways to reuse such materials, the ministry aims to reduce the financial burden while fostering environmentally friendly practices in construction. The conference also saw the participation of Bhavani Koneru, Member of FICCI’s Committee on Transport Infrastructure, who reiterated the need for India to localise and innovate its tunnelling technologies to suit the country’s unique geographical and financial conditions. Koneru highlighted the importance of resource management and proposed reusing excavated materials to minimise waste.

Additionally, she urged the government to focus on building domestic supply chains for critical components like rubber gaskets, which are currently imported. India’s focus on tunnelling projects is a testament to the country’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure, improving connectivity, and addressing the specific challenges of its diverse terrain. With these projects, the government aims to foster economic growth and make transportation in challenging regions more accessible and efficient.