Patel Engineering Limited has set a new national benchmark in mechanised tunnelling by achieving the highest-ever monthly excavation progress recorded in India. The company completed 812.466 metres of tunnel excavation in January 2026 at the CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel (TWT) Project – Package II.
The record was achieved at Shaft–02 (Sai Village) as part of the design and construction of a 6.27-kilometre-long Treated Water Tunnel, along with allied works connecting Sai Village to Vindhane Village in Raigad district. The project is being executed under a Design and Build (DB) contract for the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
The Treated Water Tunnel project is a critical component of CIDCO’s long-term water security strategy and is aimed at strengthening bulk treated water conveyance infrastructure for Navi Mumbai. Once completed, the tunnel will significantly enhance the reliability and efficiency of treated water transmission, supporting the region’s rapidly expanding urban, commercial, and industrial demand for decades.
Excavation is being carried out using a 3.2-metre diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) manufactured by Terratec, named “Tiboti Khandya” after the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, the official bird of Raigad district. Known for its natural ability to bore tunnels along riverbanks for nesting, the bird symbolises precision and adaptability qualities reflected in Patel Engineering’s tunnelling approach. The TBM was selected to ensure high precision, enhanced safety standards, and minimal surface disruption, making it well suited for infrastructure development in dense and developing urban environments.
The latest achievement surpasses earlier industry benchmarks, including the previous national record of 777 metres in the small TBM category, also achieved in the Navi Mumbai region, as well as the 790-metre record in the large single-shield TBM category. The record-setting progress was enabled by meticulous planning, round-the-clock execution, and an optimised excavation and mucking system incorporating multiple crossings and mining locomotives.
This milestone underscores Patel Engineering’s operational excellence and deep expertise in mechanised tunnelling, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in complex underground infrastructure projects. The achievement also enhances the company’s global competitiveness in the specialised tunnelling domain.
Commenting on the accomplishment, Kavita Shirvaikar, Managing Director, Patel Engineering Limited, said that the record-breaking progress reflects exceptional coordination, technical expertise, and disciplined execution by the on-ground teams, supported by strong leadership and timely strategic interventions. She noted that the milestone redefines national benchmarks and demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to engineering excellence.
