Tunneling Association of India (TAI), Central Board of Irrigation and Power, CBIP Govt. of India, ISRM India, National Skill Development Forum (NSDF) Shimla and Himachal Pradesh State Centre Institution of Engineers India Shimla organized a 2 day National Conference on ‘Technological Advancements in Drilling and Blasting for Tunneling Projects’ on June 27, 2024.
The conference inaugurated by the distinguished Chief Guest, R K Dhiman, Chairman, TAl and former Additional DG, BRO, who emphasized the importance of technological innovations enhancing the efficiency and safety tunneling projects. He said, “We are at the forefront of a technological revolution in the field of drilling and blasting for tunneling projects. This conference serves as an important platform for sharing knowledge and innovations that will drive future advancements in this critical field. Dhiman also added, “By adopting state-of-the-art technologies and innovative practices, we can overcome the most challenging aspects of tunneling and set new benchmarks in project execution.”
Er. Vishwa Mohan Joshi, President, NSDF and HP State Centre Institution of Engineers India welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the conference. He said, “Advancements in drilling and blasting technology are critical to the success of tunneling projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget and maintaining the highest safety standards.”
Guest of Honour, A K Dinkar, Secretary, CBIP, New Delhi underlined the commitment towards building robust infrastructure through technological advancements. He said, “By bringing together the brightest minds and the latest technological advancements, this conference underlines our commitment towards building a robust infrastructure for the future.”
The conference was graced by the presence of several notable dignitaries including Er. Jaswant Singh, Secretary, HP State Centre and Director, NSDF, Shimla, Dr. Labh Singh, Chairman, Punjab & Chandigarh State Centre, IEI; Er. Pankaj Dadwal, former Chairman, NSDF; and Er. Deepak Sharma former ENC HPPWD and NSDF BoG Member.
The technical sessions featured presentations by distinguished guest faculties from across India who shared their expertise and latest research in the field. Notable guest faculties included Dr. Hos Bineshuan, Technical Director, Amberg Engineering AG; Dr. Abdul Basit, Regional Officer, NHAI Shimla; Dr. Hitesh Sharma, Deputy General Manager, Safety, DMRC Ltd., New Delhi; Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Regional Manager, VMT GmbH India; Dr. Sandeep Potnis, Professor, MIT WPU Pune; and Pankaj Sharma and Vivek lyer, CSIR, among others.
A site inspection of NHAI Tunnel on NH 5 under construction near Shoghi was conducted, allowing the attendees to experience the latest developments in tunneling and blasting technology. The National Conference on ‘Technological Advancements in Drilling and Blasting for Tunneling Projects’ was a great success, bringing together industry professionals, experts and practitioners to share knowledge and inspire future advancements in this critical area.
