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Afcons Sets National Tunnelling Record: 777 Metres in a Month for Navi Mumbai’s Hetawane Water Project
- Ajjay Bhagyakar
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
Navi Mumbai, July 2025 – Afcons Infrastructure Ltd has created history in India’s tunnelling sector by achieving a remarkable feat: completing 777 metres of tunnelling in just one month for the Hetawane water supply augmentation scheme. Using its advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Flamingo’, the company has set a new national record in precision engineering and execution.
A Milestone for Navi Mumbai’s Water Future
The tunnelling was carried out as part of CIDCO’s Water Tunnel Package-1, which is a critical element of the region’s long-term water security plan. The 3.2-metre diameter tunnel is designed to strengthen and expand drinking water supply to Navi Mumbai and surrounding nodes.
So far, Afcons has successfully completed 3.4 km out of the total 8.7 km tunnel length, marking steady progress in this ambitious infrastructure project.
Breaking Records, Setting New Standards
The July 2025 achievement surpassed the previous national record of 653 metres, set at Mumbai’s Amar Mahal II Tunnel project in July 2024. Earlier this year, in May, Afcons had already impressed the tunnelling industry by completing 714 metres in a single month. Now, with the 777-metre milestone, Afcons has raised the bar once again.
“This sets a new standard across the national tunnelling industry. The record demonstrates the team’s ability to execute challenging infrastructure projects at speed and with precision,” said R. Anantakumar, Director – Urban Infrastructure, Afcons.
Engineering Against the Odds
Reaching this milestone was no easy task. The tunnelling route passed through complex geological formations, including Amygdaloidal basalt in the Sahyadri region, making excavation particularly challenging.
Other obstacles included:
Severe space constraints affecting equipment setup and manoeuvrability.
Long-distance material handling, with muck and construction materials transported across a 4-km stretch.
The need for adaptive tunnelling strategies to ensure safety, efficiency, and accuracy.
Afcons’ engineering expertise and innovative approach allowed the team to overcome these barriers and set an industry benchmark.
Critical for Navi Mumbai’s Water Security
The Hetawane water augmentation project is one of CIDCO’s flagship infrastructure initiatives. Its goal is to secure a reliable and sustainable drinking water supply for Navi Mumbai and nearby regions, including areas under the Panvel Municipal Corporation.
With Navi Mumbai’s population and urban development rapidly expanding, ensuring long-term water availability is crucial. Afcons’ tunnelling breakthrough directly supports this vision, bringing the city closer to water sustainability.
Driving India’s Infrastructure Growth
This achievement is not just about setting a record; it reflects India’s growing capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure projects with speed, safety, and precision. Afcons, in partnership with CIDCO, TATA Consulting Engineers, and Herrenknecht, is showcasing how engineering innovation can transform urban infrastructure.
As tunnelling continues, the company has promised to maintain momentum and deliver even greater results in the months ahead.
Afcons’ record-setting tunnelling performance is a proud moment for India’s infrastructure sector. More importantly, it strengthens the foundations of water security in Navi Mumbai, ensuring that the city’s residents benefit from reliable, future-ready utilities.
With achievements like these, Afcons is not just boring tunnels – it is paving the way for sustainable urban growth in India. Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar. Source: Free Press Journal
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