Technology
India Boosts Indigenous Tunnel Boring Machine Capacity to Accelerate Metro Projects
The central government announced plans to develop large domestically-made tunnel boring machines to speed up infrastructure and metro construction across the country.
New Delhi – A senior central minister announced that India is expanding its capability to manufacture large tunnel boring machines (TBMs) using indigenous technology. The move is aimed at accelerating the country's infrastructure and metro projects by reducing dependence on imported equipment.
The minister said the initiative will strengthen self‑reliance in critical engineering sectors and is expected to cut project costs and timelines. By building TBMs domestically, India hopes to streamline the execution of underground rail corridors and other major tunnelling works.
The announcement aligns with the government's broader Atmanirbhar (self‑reliant) strategy, which seeks to promote indigenous manufacturing across key industries. Industry experts anticipate that the enhanced TBM capacity will support the rapid expansion of metro networks in several Indian cities.
Implementation details, including timelines and specific production targets, were not disclosed at the briefing.
The minister said the initiative will strengthen self‑reliance in critical engineering sectors and is expected to cut project costs and timelines. By building TBMs domestically, India hopes to streamline the execution of underground rail corridors and other major tunnelling works.
The announcement aligns with the government's broader Atmanirbhar (self‑reliant) strategy, which seeks to promote indigenous manufacturing across key industries. Industry experts anticipate that the enhanced TBM capacity will support the rapid expansion of metro networks in several Indian cities.
Implementation details, including timelines and specific production targets, were not disclosed at the briefing.