The Sandvik DT922i, a fully automatic tunneling jumbo, has been launched in India by Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology to enhance safety, productivity, and precision in tunneling. As infrastructure projects increasingly adopt mechanization, the Drill and Blast method remains preferred due to its flexibility in handling diverse profile requirements compared to Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The first DT922i was delivered to APCO Infratech for a Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) project, facilitating the drilling of the initial ADIT for the Rishikesh Karanprayag Railway line, which commenced work in 2019. India’s infrastructure story has entered a decisive phase.
Automated Jumbo Drilling Systems
where speed, precision, and safety define project success. As massive expressway corridors, metro networks, railway tunnels, and hydropower caverns expand across the country, traditional drilling methods are no longer sufficient. In this transformation, fully automated jumbo drilling systems are emerging as one of the most disruptive technologies in Indian tunneling. These high-tech machines are reshaping how tunnels are planned, drilled, and executed, making way for faster and safer underground construction across the nation. At its core, a fully automated jumbo is a computerized drilling system capable of executing precise drilling patterns.
Pre-fed digital inputs. Unlike conventional manually controlled jumbos, automated systems operate using intelligent software that aligns drilling based on digital tunnel models, minimizing deviations and improving accuracy. This shift is particularly vital in India, where projects such as highway tunnels in the Himalayas, underground metro corridors in urban centers, and hydropower stations in fragile geological zones demand absolute reliability. India’s push for infrastructure modernization under the leadership of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has accelerated tunnel construction nationwide. Projects associated with.
Blasting, Reduced Overbreak
The National Highways Authority of India is now emphasizing mechanized tunneling rather than conventional blasting, especially in sensitive environments. Fully automated jumbos integrate seamlessly with this approach, enabling controlled blasting, reduced overbreak, and consistent drilling cycles. One of the most significant benefits of automated jumbo technology is its unmatched drilling accuracy. Traditional systems depend heavily on operator skill, which introduces variability and error. Automated jumbos, however, follow predefined drilling patterns generated from engineering software, producing consistent hole depth, angle, and sequence.
This improves overall blasting efficiency, reduces material wastage, and extends tunnel life. In challenging terrain such as the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, this technology is proving vital for achieving alignment integrity and slope stability. Worker safety is another critical factor driving adoption. Manual drilling exposes workers to rockfalls, gas exposure, dust inhalation, and vibration injuries. Automated jumbos reduce human intervention in active drilling zones. Operators can now work from climate-controlled cabins or from remote consoles, dramatically lowering risk. As a result, project teams benefit from fewer safety incidents and better regulatory compliance.
Often Faces Cost Overruns Due To Delays
This shift aligns with India’s global commitment to adopting international best practices in occupational safety. Productivity enhancement is where automated jumbo technology achieves its biggest impact. Indian tunnel projects often face cost overruns due to delays caused by geological surprises and labor inefficiencies. Automated jumbos improve drilling speed and consistency, enabling tight project scheduling. A tunnel section that once took weeks to complete manually can now be drilled in days with automated systems. This results in faster project turnaround and quicker public access to infrastructure such as expressways and metro networks.
Indian engineering institutions such as IIT Delhi are collaborating with equipment manufacturers and government agencies to study automation in tunneling. Research initiatives focus on integrating tunnel jumbos with geological mapping software, AI-based fault detection, and data analytics. In future projects, drilling performance will not only be mechanized but intelligently controlled, reducing trial-and-error during excavation. Globally, companies such as Sandvik and Epiroc have already developed next-generation automated tunneling equipment that is now entering the Indian market through infrastructure EPC contractors. These systems include features such.
Automation Does Not Eliminate Jobs
As automatic boom positioning, digital face profiling, and real-time data synchronization. As more Indian construction firms adopt international procurement strategies, fully automated jumbos are becoming a standard part of project planning. The tunneling revolution is also (MINING) influencing workforce development. Automation does not eliminate jobs but reshapes them. Operators now require digital literacy alongside mechanical knowledge. Training centers and engineering universities are introducing automation modules to prepare a new generation of tunneling professionals. The result is a technologically skilled workforce capable of handling future-ready infrastructure systems.
Another major edge of automated jumbos is cost efficiency over the long run. While initial investment may be higher than manual machines, the return on investment is significantly better. Savings come from reduced material wastage, shorter project durations, fewer accidents, and lower maintenance requirements. For large-scale projects such as metro corridors or mountain tunnels, the financial logic strongly favors automation. For developers, consultants, and infrastructure planners, integrating automated jumbos into tunnel design strategy is becoming non-negotiable. In fact, many new projects now specify fully automated drilling systems during pre-bid planning.
India’s National Expressway Network Expansion
As India pushes forward with the “infrastructure as growth engine” policy, the tunneling sector stands at the forefront of mechanization. If you are interested in understanding related infrastructure developments, you can also read our in-depth article on India’s National Expressway Network Expansion. These resources explain how high-end machinery is accelerating project execution across multiple sectors. In the coming decade, fully automated jumbo technology will define how India builds underground. The nation’s complex geographic diversity demands solutions that are reliable, intelligent, and adaptable. From metro tunnels beneath megacities.
To highway tunnels across mountain ranges, automated jumbos (MINING) are redefining what is possible. Tunneling in India is no longer just excavation; it is engineering precision powered by automation.
Q1. What is a fully automated jumbo in tunneling?
A fully automated jumbo is a computerized drilling machine that executes pre-programmed drilling patterns using digital tunnel designs for precision excavation.
Q2. Why are automated jumbos important for Indian projects?
India’s diverse geology and expanding infrastructure require faster, safer, and more accurate tunneling equipment, which automated jumbos deliver efficiently.
Q3. Does automation reduce manpower?
No. It shifts roles from manual labor to skilled machine operation and technical management.
Q4. Are automated jumbos expensive?
Initial investment is higher, but long-term savings in time, safety, and materials make them cost-effective.
Q5. Which projects benefit most from automated jumbos?
Metro rail tunnels, hydropower projects, expressways, rail tunnels, and urban underground corridors benefit the most.
