L&T's 'Shiv' Smashes World Tunneling Record!

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has set a new world record in tunnel construction by achieving 790 metres of tunneling in a single month using a single-shield hard rock Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named ‘Shiv’. This milestone was accomplished on June 29, ahead of schedule, as part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link project in Uttarakhand.

The record-setting tunnel is part of the 13.09-km-long downline section between Devprayag and Janasu, running parallel to a 14.57-km upline tunnel that achieved its breakthrough on April 16. Both twin tunnels are integral components of the 125-km strategic railway corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity in the Himalayan region. The entire project is slated for completion by December 2026.

Commenting on the achievement, S. V. Desai, Whole-Time Director at L&T, said: “The TBM team has broken the world record by achieving maximum monthly progress of 790 metres using the single-shield hard rock TBM, Shiv.”

This achievement underscores L&T’s engineering excellence and the strategic importance of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail link in bolstering infrastructure and connectivity in Uttarakhand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.