BEML and NFM sign Indian TBM agreement

NFM Technologies and BEML have signed a Memorendum of Agreement (MOA) that will see the Indian equipment manufacturer build tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in India for the domestic and wider south-east Asian market under licence from NFM.

The agreement follows six months of technical and commercial discussion between the two companies. The MOA seals an exclusive partnership between the two companies, and will make BEML the only manufacturer of TBMs in India.

Commenting on the potential of the Indian market, a statement from NFM said, "With a dense urban population that is undergoing rapid growth (36 conurbations with more than 1 million), India aims to develop its underground infrastructures. New Underground lines are planned for big cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi (phase 2) etc. Added to this are many hydroelectric and irrigation tunnel projects."