India steps up efforts to manufacture tunnel-boring machines domestically amid China’s export controls.
India is stepping up efforts to develop domestic tunnel-boring machine (TBM) manufacturing capabilities as China prepares to introduce export controls on the specialised equipment used in major infrastructure projects.
China’s Commerce Ministry announced on October 19, 2026, that exports of tunnel-boring machines and related equipment would be subject to new controls from November 18. Exporters will need to obtain licences under China’s export-control framework, according to Reuters.
The move has renewed attention on India’s dependence on foreign suppliers for advanced tunnelling equipment, particularly as the country expands its metro networks, railway corridors and underground infrastructure.
India aims to expand domestic manufacturing
India is working to strengthen its ability to manufacture tunnel-boring machines locally. However, the country’s progress varies across machine types, components and manufacturing processes, and complete self-reliance remains a work in progress.
According to The Tribune’s October 23 report, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India’s capabilities in manufacturing TBMs with diameters of 8 metres and 15 metres. He also referred to plans to develop machines exceeding 16 metres in diameter.
The report identified manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu as part of India’s growing tunnelling equipment ecosystem. However, the available reporting does not establish that all these machines are entirely indigenous in design and components.
State-owned engineering company BEML is also pursuing plans to develop tunnel-boring machines domestically. Moneycontrol reported in 2025 that the company had invited proposals from international design consultants and explored technical partnerships with companies from countries including Austria and Japan.
The initiative was aimed at developing indigenous TBM designs and reducing dependence on imported equipment. However, the reported plans do not establish that BEML has already completed the development of a fully indigenous machine.
Foreign manufacturers contribute to local production
Foreign companies have also helped establish tunnelling equipment manufacturing and assembly capabilities in India.
German manufacturer Herrenknecht operates a facility in Chennai. According to India Today, the facility manufactured 10 TBMs for Chennai Metro Phase 2 between July 2022 and July 2023.
The report said approximately 60% of the components used in those machines were sourced from Indian suppliers, while the remaining components came from the company’s facilities in Germany.
The development highlights the role of local manufacturing and component sourcing in strengthening India’s industrial capabilities. However, assembling machines in India does not necessarily mean that their complete design and all critical technologies are indigenous.
Why China’s export controls matter
China is a major supplier of tunnelling equipment used in metro rail, highways and other infrastructure projects.
Reuters reported that China exported approximately $793 million worth of self-propelled coal or rock cutters and tunnelling machinery in 2025, based on UN Comtrade data. This figure covers a broader category of machinery and does not represent TBM exports alone.
India has also faced difficulties in obtaining some tunnel-boring machines manufactured in China.
The Indian Express reported that shipments of TBMs made in China by Herrenknecht faced customs clearance difficulties in 2024. The machines were subsequently received in India in March 2026, according to the report.
China’s latest measures introduce a formal licensing requirement for covered equipment. Their impact on Indian projects will depend on which machines and components fall under the controls, the approval process and the availability of alternative suppliers.
The restrictions do not amount to a blanket ban on all TBM exports to India. It is therefore too early to conclude that the new rules will automatically delay ongoing infrastructure projects.
Major infrastructure projects need advanced tunnelling equipment
Tunnel-boring machines are essential for several large infrastructure projects in India.
The 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor includes a 21-km underground section, including a 7-km stretch beneath Thane Creek. TBMs are being used to excavate a 16-km portion of the underground alignment, while the remaining section has been completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, according to The Tribune’s reporting.
The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway project in Uttarakhand is another major tunnelling undertaking. The Tribune reported that approximately 83% of the line’s alignment passes through tunnels, reflecting the engineering challenges of constructing railway infrastructure in the Himalayas.
Metro rail projects in cities such as Chennai also depend on specialised tunnelling equipment for underground sections, particularly in densely populated areas where surface excavation can cause significant disruption.
Developing domestic manufacturing capabilities could help strengthen equipment supply chains, improve access to spare parts and reduce exposure to procurement disruptions.
However, the extent of any benefit will depend on the availability, cost and technical suitability of Indian-made machines for individual projects.
Proposed incentive scheme could support domestic production
The government has also been considering incentives to encourage the domestic manufacture of advanced construction and infrastructure equipment.
According to reports, India was also preparing a proposed $1.2 billion incentive scheme intended to attract approximately $1.8 billion in fresh investment over seven years. The proposal was expected to cover equipment including tunnel-boring machines, firefighting equipment and elevators.
If implemented, the programme could encourage investment in manufacturing facilities, support domestic component suppliers and improve the commercial viability of producing specialised machinery in India.
BEML and other engineering companies could potentially benefit from measures designed to increase domestic manufacturing and local value addition.
Challenges remain
Developing a complete TBM manufacturing industry requires more than assembling machines locally.
Manufacturers need expertise in precision engineering, cutterhead design, bearings, hydraulic systems, control technology and the design of machines suited to different geological conditions.
Critical components, testing facilities and reliable technical support are also important. A failure underground can lead to costly delays and complex recovery operations, making machine reliability essential.
India’s manufacturing push therefore represents a longer-term industrial effort rather than an immediate replacement for all imported TBMs.
China’s export controls have added urgency to the discussion, but the broader objective is to build domestic expertise and production capacity for strategically important infrastructure equipment.
India has made progress in local assembly and component sourcing, while companies such as BEML are exploring indigenous development. The next step will be to establish how far these efforts can progress towards the domestic design and commercial production of complete, advanced tunnel-boring machines.
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