Experts flag urgent need for sustainable, climate-resilient underground infrastructure in India’s Himalayan, urban regions

India is gearing up for a massive expansion in tunnel infrastructure, with projects worth Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh crore planned over the next decade, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Speaking at the International Workshop on ‘Sustainable Tunnelling for Better Life’ held at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Gadkari called for a renewed focus on reducing construction costs, upgrading technology, and indigenising tunnelling machinery.

The minister’s remarks came during the inauguration of India’s first Center of Excellence for Tunnelling and Underground Construction at MIT-WPU. Developed in partnership with Tata Projects and Sandvik, the centre features a Tunnel Monitoring Laboratory and a Drilling & Blasting Laboratory aimed at bolstering domestic capabilities in underground infrastructure.

“India is entering a golden era of infrastructure. Tunnels are essential for connectivity, safety, and sustainability,” Gadkari said. “We must adopt fuels like ethanol, CNG, hydrogen, and electricity, and manufacture or import used tunnel boring machines from Europe to cut costs.”

The two-day workshop, co-organised with the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association’s Committee on Education and Training (ITA-CET), spotlighted the importance of sustainable practices and advanced engineering in tunnelling — especially in sensitive regions like the Himalayas.

Experts from India, Europe, the UK, and the US deliberated on digital innovations such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), laser scanning, and low-impact excavation techniques. Emphasis was laid on reducing the environmental footprint of tunnels and increasing the safety of underground construction workers.

Arnold Dix, Past President, International Tunnelling Association, underlined the global relevance of India’s initiative. “This Centre bridges a critical skills gap. Too often, young workers are at risk because they lack practical training. What I see here at MIT-WPU – the mentorship and family-like academic environment – is exceptional,” he said.

India’s tunnel projects — ranging from highway expansions to strategic defence and urban mobility — are being fast-tracked to support economic growth, energy security, and disaster resilience. The government is pushing for deeper involvement from private players, global technology providers, and academic institutions to reduce imports and enhance local skill development.

Gadkari assured that his ministry would back initiatives with equipment and training support. “With innovation, commitment, and collaboration, we can make India self-reliant in tunnelling technology,” he said.