Three massive tunnel boring machines destined for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high‑speed rail corridor are being held up at a Chinese port, raising concerns over project delays. These German‑made machines from Herrenknecht are needed for the 21‑km underground stretch between Bandra‑Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata. Two were expected in India by October 2024, with the third scheduled for earlier this year—but none have received clearance from Chinese authorities and no official reason has been given.
A senior Indian Railway Ministry official stated that “the railway ministry has taken the matter to the external affairs ministry.” Diplomatic channels have now been activated, since the delay also affects other critical parts required for ongoing construction. A prolonged hold‑up may impact the undersea section beneath Thane creek.
The National High‑Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), overseeing the ₹1.08 lakh crore project, intends to use TBM‑1 and TBM‑2 for tunnelling between Sawli (Ghansoli) and BKC, and TBM‑3 between Vikhroli and Sawli. The route includes India’s first undersea rail tunnel of 7 km under Thane creek, a technically demanding segment.
NHSRCL officials have declined to comment, but sources confirm that the project timeline remains unchanged for now. Since the Galwan Valley incident in June 2020, India has tightened scrutiny of Chinese imports and investments. TBMs from German manufacturer Herrenknecht’s Indian plant were used in several projects that avoided China origin.
Among the stalled machines is India’s largest TBM, featuring a 13.56 metre cutter head—far larger than typical metro machines. It features a mixshell design capable of handling varied geological conditions.
Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, which won the ₹6,397 crore Package C‑2 contract in June 2023, is proceeding with work on vertical shafts at BKC, Vikhroli, and Sawli. A 42‑metre inclined shaft at Ghansoli and a tunnel portal at Shilphata are also under construction using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
The planned tunnel runs 25 to 65 metres underground, plunging up to 114 metres under Parsik Hill, and crosses wetlands, dense urban areas, and water bodies. Despite the machinery delay, NHSRCL and Afcons continue preparatory work.
Officials say stakeholders including NHSRCL, Herrenknecht, Afcons, and relevant ministries are coordinating urgently. “The equipment includes not just the TBMs but also parts critical for other infrastructure works,” one source added. For now, work continues, but as the hold‑up drags on, pressure is increasing to move the machines quickly or risk falling behind schedule.
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