Indian Infrastructure Magazine recently concluded its 4th Annual Conference on Tunnel Construction – Opportunities in North India on November 25-26, 2025.
With a stellar lineup of speakers, the two-day conference showcased leading projects, state-of-the-art technologies, and the emerging opportunities set to shape the future tunnelling landscape.
Key takeaways:
• India’s northern region is witnessing an increased emphasis on tunnelling. Demand for enhanced mobility across diverse terrain, expansion of urban rail systems, upgradation of water and wastewater networks, are all contributing to the sector’s growth. Development of hydropower plants across the region also continue to drive growth.
• Different tunnelling methods are being adopted depending on ground conditions. NATM has seen a widened adoption across sectors, and the use of TBMs have gained traction for urban tunnelling.
• The quality of DPRs and cost and time overruns continue to be pressing challenges. The complex and varied geology of the Himalayan region also pose setbacks during tunnelling, being prone to landslides and water ingress.
• On the positive side, the sector has seen a reduced dependence on imported equipment. Initiatives are being taken to ensure safety during construction and operations. Efforts are underway for skilling of manpower. Moreover, the gradual adoption of advanced technologies like TSP and automated equipment are enhancing processes.
• The northern region offers promising opportunities to stakeholders involved in tunneling sector, given the upcoming metro projects in tier 2 and 3 cities and hydro and pumped storage projects in J&K and northeastern region.
• Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khali, GR Infraprojects Limited
• Prabhu Kumar L. T., Larsen & Toubro
• Rajan Sharma, J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd.
• Lakshmipriya Aravind, Leister
• Manish Awasthy, DFCCIL
• Dr. Rohan Deshmukh, PhD, Bentley Systems
• Nilesh Irale, Bajaj Reinforcements Pvt. Ltd.
• Colonel Parikshit Mehra, Government of Telangana
• Ankit Jain, Cosmos Pumps
• Nirmal Gandhi, Siemens
• Dr. Aejaz Ahmad, Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd.
• Vibhash Pathania, THDC India Limited
• Amit Gautam, SMEC
• Upendra Parmar, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
• Dr. Mainak Ghosh Roy, NHPC Limited, CEA
• Hosh Ram Yadav, Rodic Consultants Private Limited
• Arvind Singh, AFCONS Infrastructure Limited – a Shapoorji Pallonji Group Company
Organised by: Indian Infrastructure Magazine
Co-sponsors: Bajaj Reinforcements Pvt. Ltd., Cosmos Pumps, and Leister