The infrastructure development in the country is growing at a rapid pace. The Construction Industry has undergone revolutionary changes in the last decade by embracing technological advancements. New-age construction methods have become highly efficient to ensure faster delivery time and cost-effectiveness. The industry has also adopted and is adopting new techniques and methods in the projects for assured quality of construction and speedy completion of these projects.
Below mentioned are the new methods and techniques which have been established by now in the industry and is being successfully implemented in multiple construction projects.
New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM)
Major Projects Utilizing NATM in India
1. Zojila Tunnel, Jammu & Kashmir
- Length: 14.15 km
- Significance: India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bidirectional tunnel.
- Purpose: Provides year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
- Construction Method: Implemented using NATM due to the challenging Himalayan geology.
2. USBRL Tunnel 50, Jammu & Kashmir
- Length: 12.775 km
- Project: Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
- Features: India’s longest transportation tunnel, constructed using NATM to navigate the region’s complex terrain.
3. Atal Tunnel, Himachal Pradesh
- Length: 9.02 km
- Purpose: Connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley, ensuring all-weather connectivity.
- Construction Technique: Built using the Drill & Blast method combined with NATM principles to address the high-altitude and challenging geological conditions.
4. Sela Tunnel, Arunachal Pradesh
- Length: 12.04 km
- Objective: Ensures all-weather connectivity between Guwahati and Tawang, enhancing strategic mobility.
- Construction Method: Executed using NATM to tackle the high-altitude and fragile geological conditions of the region.
5. New Katraj Tunnel, Maharashtra
- Length: 1.2 km
- Location: Situated on NH 48 near Pune.
- Construction: Built using NATM, replacing the older tunnel to improve traffic flow and safety.
6. Delhi Metro – Chawri Bazar Station
- Challenge: Located in a densely populated area with complex ground conditions.
- Solution: NATM was employed for the station’s construction, allowing for minimal surface disruption and adaptability to the urban environment.
7. Sungal Tunnel, Jammu & Kashmir
- Project: Part of the Jammu–Poonch highway alignment.
- Construction Method: Utilized NATM to address the region’s challenging geological conditions.
Sector-Wide Adoption of NATM
According to India Infrastructure Research, NATM has been implemented in approximately 51 tunnel projects across India, covering a combined length of about 300 km. The highest deployment has been in the hydro sector (23 projects), followed by the metro rail sector (14 projects).