KISHTWAR, Jun 11: In a major milestone for Jammu & Kashmir’s power infrastructure, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) deployed for the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of the 1000 MW Pakaldul Hydroelectric Project successfully achieved breakthrough on June 10, 2026, marking the completion of one of the most significant underground excavation works in the region.
The prestigious project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) and executed by Larsen & Toubro Limited.
The breakthrough was achieved by TBM-1 “Marsu” after excavating a 7.30-kilometre-long Head Race Tunnel, with an overburden of 2,000 meter, through the challenging geological formations of the Chenab Valley. The tunnelling operation commenced on January 23, 2024, and was completed on June 10, 2026, in a span of 29 months.
The Double Shield Hard Rock Tunnel Boring Machine used for the excavation is among the largest deployed in the Himalayan region. The machine features an 8.33-metre-diameter cutter head weighing 180 metric tonnes, while its shield system and probe drill unit weigh approximately 760 metric tonnes and extend over 17 metres in length. Together with its bridges and backup gantries, the TBM measures an impressive 147 metres in total length and weighs over 1,500 metric tonnes.
Project officials described the breakthrough as a landmark engineering achievement that reflects the technical expertise, perseverance, and dedication of the workforce involved in the project. The excavation of the Head Race Tunnel was supported through a 534-metre-long adit tunnel, construction of which began on July 29, 2023, and was completed on January 23, 2024.
During the course of excavation, TBM-1 recorded several notable achievements, including a maximum daily advance of 37.1 metres on March 10, 2025, and a highest monthly progress of 491 metres in July 2025.
The 1000 MW Pakaldul Hydroelectric Project, being constructed on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, is expected to significantly strengthen power generation capacity in Jammu & Kashmir and contribute to the region’s economic development. The successful completion of the Head Race Tunnel is considered one of the most critical milestones toward the commissioning of the project.
Senior Officials and engineers from CVPPL and L&T associated with the project hailed the breakthrough as a testament to modern tunnelling technology and a significant step forward in harnessing the hydroelectric potential of the Chenab basin.