MIT-WPU Unveils Landmark Center of Excellence for Tunneling and Underground Construction

Jun 23, 2025

MIT-WPU, Pune proudly inaugurated India’s first Center of Excellence for Tunneling and Underground Construction on June 23, 2025, at its campus. This momentous occasion, graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, marks a pivotal advancement in India's infrastructure development and engineering education landscape.

This one-of-its-kind COE has been developed in collaboration with Tata Projects Ltd. and Sandvik Group. The establishment of this Center underscores MIT-WPU's commitment to fostering cutting-edge research, innovation, and practical expertise in a critical sector vital for national growth. It aims to bridge the skill gap in tunneling and underground construction, preparing a new generation of engineers with specialized knowledge.

A key highlight was the MIT-WPU Tunneling Awards 2025, celebrating excellence in the field. In the Railway and Metro Tunnel category, the Excellence Award went to TATA Projects Ltd. for the Pune Underground Metro Project, recognized for its timely TBM breakthroughs and successful riverbed tunneling. The Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Larsen & Toubro Ltd. for the Rishikesh Karnprayag New BG Rail Line Project (Package – 04), lauded for completing 25 kms of NATM tunneling in a record 46 months.

In the Road Tunnel category, Larsen & Toubro Ltd. also received the Excellence Award for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, praised for innovative solutions like the Saccardo ventilation system and Calcium Silicate Fire Board. Outstanding Contribution Awards were jointly given to Nagpur Mumbai Super Communication Expressway Limited (NMSCEL) for the Nagpur Mumbai Super Communication Expressway Package 14 – India's widest road tunnel – and J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. for the Vadodara Mumbai Expressway-Bhoj to Morbe Section, recognized for its robust project management and record-breaking tunnel breakthrough.

The event saw distinguished participation from global and national leaders, including Prof. Arnold Dix, Past President of ITA; Shri. Tarun Kumar Khulbé, CEO of Jindal Stainless Ltd. We were also honored to felicitate Shri. Shyamkant Dharmadhikari with a Lifetime Achievement Award, followed by his insightful talk. From MIT-WPU, our sincere gratitude to Rev. Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, Founder-President of MIT-WPU, Executive President Dr. Rahul V. Karad, Vice Chancellor Dr. RM Chitnis, CAO Dr. Prasad Khandekar, and Dr. Sandeep Potnis (Head, Tunnel Engineering Program) for their leadership.

This Center is set to become a beacon for sustainable and advanced practices in the field, cementing MIT-WPU's role at the forefront of engineering innovation.