Gadkari Unveils ₹3 Lakh Crore Tunnel Projects Plan at MIT-WPU Workshop
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the government is planning tunnel projects worth ₹2.5–3 lakh crore over the next decade as part of India’s infrastructure expansion. Speaking at the International Workshop on ‘Sustainable Tunnelling for Better Life’ at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), he said tunnels are vital for improving connectivity, safety, and sustainability.
Emphasizing cost efficiency without compromising quality, Gadkari called for the use of eco-friendly fuels like CNG, ethanol, hydrogen, and electric alternatives to diesel. He also recommended refurbishing old tunnelling equipment, importing used machines from Europe, and eventually manufacturing them domestically.
The minister stressed the importance of research and training tailored to India’s diverse geology and offered government support for equipment and training in this sector.
A highlight of the event was the inauguration of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Tunnelling and Underground Construction at MIT-WPU, featuring advanced laboratories, set up in collaboration with Sandvik and Tata Projects Ltd.
Global tunnelling experts, including Arnold Dix of the International Tunnelling Association, attended the workshop, which featured technical sessions, panel discussions, and keynote speeches aimed at bridging the gap between engineering design and practical execution.
