Patel Engineering Limited has achieved a significant milestone by recording the highest monthly tunnelling progress in India, excavating 812.466 metres in January 2026 for the CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel (TWT) Project – Package II. This project is integral to CIDCO’s water security strategy, enhancing treated water reliability for Navi Mumbai’s urban demands. The tunnelling was executed using a 3.2-meter diameter TBM named “Tiboti Khandya,” known for precision and minimal disruption. This record surpasses previous national records and demonstrates Patel Engineering’s expertise in mechanised tunnelling, reinforcing their competitive advantage in infrastructure projects.
Excellence And Operational Mastery
Managing Director Kavita Shirvaikar attributed this success to the coordination and technical skill of the teams involved, highlighting the company’s commitment to engineering excellenc In an extraordinary demonstration of engineering excellence and operational mastery, Patel Engineering Ltd has etched its name yet again into the annals of India’s infrastructure landscape by setting a new national benchmark for monthly tunnel excavation, clocking an astonishing 812.466 metres of tunnelling in a single month during January 2026 at the CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel (TWT) Project – Package II, a pivotal component of Navi Mumbai’s long‑term water infrastructure strategy.
That underscores the scale, precision, and technological sophistication inherent in modern mechanised underground construction. This achievement is not merely a numeric milestone but a testament to Patel Engineering’s deep reservoir of expertise in TBM tunnelling technology, reflecting decades of experience in executing complex projects involving hydropower, irrigation and urban infrastructure, and the ability to consistently deliver on challenging delivery timelines with high safety and efficiency standards. By surpassing all previous monthly records including the earlier benchmarks of 777 metres in the small TBM category and 790.
Performance In Underground Infrastructure
Metres in the large single shield TBM category, both of which were also recorded in the same region Patel Engineering has redefined what is possible in mechanised tunnel boring and established a new national reference point for performance in underground infrastructure works The record‑setting tunnelling performance was achieved on the CIDCO TWT Project, which is being executed under a design‑and‑build (DB) contract from the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO). This project involves the design, construction and outfitting of a 6.27‑kilometre long treated water tunnel extending between Sai Village Vindhane.
Village in the Raigad district, conceived to significantly strengthen the bulk water conveyance system that underpins Navi Mumbai’s growth in residential, commercial and industrial demand for treated water. The torsional, geological and logistical challenges intrinsic to tunnelling works of this scale are formidable they demand meticulous planning, robust engineering controls, sophisticated machinery, and a disciplined workforce operating around the clock and Patel Engineering’s success brings these demanding components together into a seamless execution rhythm that delivered not only on quantity but also on quality and safety.
Raigad District known For
At the heart of this breakthrough is the strategic deployment of a 3.2‑metre diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) specifically manufactured by Terratec and named “Tiboti Khandya” after the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, the official bird of Raigad district known for its natural burrowing behaviour. This TBM, calibrated for precision and engineered for enhanced safety, exemplifies how advanced machine design can significantly reduce surface disruption and elevate overall tunnelling productivity. Mechanised excavation with Tiboti Khandya enabled enhanced precision and efficiency, reinforcing the trend that mechanised tunnelling technologies now outperform.
Traditional methods in terms of speed, environmental impact reduction and worker safety factors that are critical for urban infrastructure projects where public safety and minimal surface disturbance are paramount Commenting on this monumental achievement, Patel Engineering’s Managing Director Ms. Kavita Shirvaikar expressed immense pride, noting that the record reflects “exceptional coordination, discipline and technical expertise” from the company’s engineering teams supported by decisive leadership and timely executive interventions. Her remarks underscore an essential truth in large‑scale infrastructure delivery: technological capability, no matter.
Scalable Model Of Execution
How advanced, delivers maximum value only when reinforced by strong organisational coordination and strategic leadership. By uniting these elements, Patel Engineering not only surpassed existing industry benchmarks but also demonstrated a scalable model of execution that can be replicated in future tunnelling projects across India and abroad The successful completion of the tunnelling phase ahead of schedule reportedly four months ahead of the contracted timeline, according to project disclosures is yet another indicator of project management excellence and serves as a practical validation of the productivity record achieved in January 2026. In the infrastructure sector.
Where delays often cascade into cost overruns and service disruptions, finishing the tunnelling drive ahead of schedule magnifies the strategic importance of the achievement and bolsters stakeholder confidence in the company’s ability to deliver complex, mission‑critical works. Moreover, the project accrued over one million safe man‑hours without any recordable safety incidents, highlighting the company’s commitment to embedding safety at the core of operational processes The CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel Project itself is a key initiative in the broader context of water infrastructure development in India, forming part of efforts to secure and enhance long‑term.
Supply reliability for rapidly growing urban regions like Navi Mumbai. Major water conveyance tunnels whether driven by TBM technology or other advanced tunnelling methodologies serve as lifelines for cities by ensuring dependable transportation of raw and treated water (India) across long distances and challenging terrains, and are foundational elements in municipal development, industrial sustainability and public health. By achieving such a high monthly output and completing its assigned segment with distinction, Patel Engineering has not only bolstered the region’s infrastructure capacity but also spotlighted the intersection between modern engineering.
Tunnelling For A Variety Of Central Public
Techniques, proactive project management and concerted team execution This achievement forms a continuation of Patel Engineering’s legacy of pioneering work in underground and water infrastructure. Over its more than seven decades of operation, the company has executed over 85 dams, 40 hydroelectric projects and more than 300 kilometres of tunnelling for a variety of central public sector undertakings and state government agencies accomplishments that testify to its diversified portfolio and sustained delivery excellence across sectors and geographies. Beyond India, the company’s underground construction work has extended into international.
Projects, bringing Indian engineering competence to the world stage and showcasing the ability to adapt to diverse geological conditions and project demands the momentum generated by the TBM tunnelling national record and the ahead‑of‑schedule project closure positions Patel Engineering strongly for future infrastructure challenges and opportunities whether in hydropower development, irrigation expansion, urban conveyance systems or other subterranean works requiring tunnelling expertise. As the infrastructure sector continues to evolve with innovations in mechanised excavation, real‑time monitoring and safety automation, companies like.
Patel Engineering will be at the forefront of translating these technological advances into real‑world outcomes that support national development objectives and elevate global competitiveness The record‑setting achievement of 812.466 metres of TBM tunnelling in a single month by Patel Engineering at the CIDCO TWT Project exemplifies the apex of infrastructure engineering performance in India today. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity, technical skill and strategic execution that define modern construction excellence. By integrating cutting‑edge tunnelling technology, disciplined project delivery, robust safety practices and visionary leadership.
Patel Engineering has not only set a new standard (India) within the industry but also reinforced confidence in India’s capacity to undertake and complete some of the most demanding underground infrastructure initiatives of the 21st century.
Q1. What national record did Patel Engineering Ltd set?
Patel Engineering achieved India’s highest monthly TBM tunnelling record by excavating 812.466 metres in January 2026 at the CIDCO Treated Water Tunnel Project.
Q2. Where was this record achieved?
The milestone was recorded at Shaft 02 (Sai Village) of the CIDCO TWT Project – Package II, part of the treated water tunnel connecting Sai Village and Vindhane Village in Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Q3. What technology was used for the tunnelling?
The excavation utilised a 3.2‑metre diameter TBM manufactured by Terratec, known for enhanced safety and precision tunnelling with minimal surface disruption.
Q4. How does this milestone impact the local infrastructure?
This record accelerates the delivery of treated water transmission infrastructure for Navi Mumbai, strengthening the region’s water security and supporting sustainable urban growth.
Q5. Has the tunnelling for this project been completed?
Yes Patel Engineering completed the tunnelling of Package II ahead of schedule, which marks a significant phase completion in the overall CIDCO water tunnel project.
