Patel Engineering Sets New National TBM Tunnelling Record

Patel Engineering has achieved a remarkable milestone and recorded the highest-ever monthly tunnelling progress in India. The company has recorded an excavation of 812.466 metres in January 2026 at the CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel (TWT) Project – Package II.

This achievement was recorded at their ongoing Shaft – 02 (Sai Village) under the Design and Construction of a 6.27 km long Treated Water Tunnel and allied works from Sai Village to Vindhane Village, District Raigad, which is being executed under the Design and Build (DB) contract for CIDCO.

The ongoing Treated Water Tunnel Project forms an important aspect of CIDCO’s long-term water security strategy. This project is aimed at strengthening the bulk water conveyance infrastructure that will play a key role in Navi Mumbai’s growing urban, commercial and industrial demand. The project will significantly enhance reliability of treated water transmission for decades to come.

The excavation process is being executed using the 3.2-meter diameter TBM machine manufactured by Terratec, named “Tiboti Khandya” (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher), inspired by Raigad district’s official bird. Known for its unique behaviour of naturally boring tunnels along riverbanks for nesting. Patel Engineering’s tunnelling approach draws inspiration from this remarkable aspect of mother nature. The TBM was deployed for precision tunnelling, enhanced safety, and minimal surface disruption, making it an ideal choice for infrastructure projects in developing urban areas.

This new record of 812.466 metres of tunnelling has surpassed erstwhile industry record, including the previous national record of 777 metres in the small TBM category, which was also achieved in CIDCO’s Navi Mumbai region and the 790 meters record for the large single shield TBM category. The latter project too was executed through meticulous planning, round-the-clock execution, and an optimised boring and mucking setup comprising two crossings and three sets of mining locomotives. This achievement highlights Patel Engineering’s operational excellence and deep expertise in mechanised tunnelling.

This national benchmark underscores the company’s capability to deliver high-performance outcomes in complex underground infrastructure projects, also giving them a global competitive edge. The CIDCO TWT project plays a critical role in strengthening long-term water infrastructure for the region, supporting urban growth while ensuring reliability and efficiency in treated water transmission.

Commenting on the achievement, Kavita Shirvaikar, Managing Director of Patel Engineering, said, “Achieving the highest monthly tunnelling progress ever recorded in India is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Patel Engineering. This milestone reflects the exceptional coordination, discipline, and technical expertise of our on-ground teams, supported by strong leadership and timely interventions from our head office management. Together, we have redefined benchmarks in Indian tunnelling and demonstrated what is possible through commitment to engineering excellence.”

At this stage, CIDCO is setting engineering standards as it advances, developing infrastructure designed to ensure treated water supply for decades.

The achievement further reinforces Patel Engineering’s leadership in mechanised tunnelling using TBM technology across varied geological and operational conditions. With a legacy of executing some of India’s most challenging underground and water infrastructure projects, the company continues to set new standards in productivity, safety, and execution efficiency.