BEML Ltd, a manufacturer of construction equipment and metro rail coaches under the ministry of defence, has signed a memorandum of agreement with NFM Technologies, France, to manufacture Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in India.
BEML will be the very first company in India to manufacture Tunnel Boring Machines. NFM Technologies is the second largest manufacturer of Tunnel Boring Machines in the World.
Both BEML and NFM will explore and exploit opportunities for supplying TBMs to various projects in India and ASEAN countries. The on-going Bangalore Metro and the upcoming Metro projects of Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc., would provide a promising market for the TBMs manufactured by BEML.
The TBMs will also be used in making canals for Irrigation projects and hydroelectric projects. BEML will take up the project at its KGF Plant, the company said in a statement.