Key facts
- China has proposed restrictions on tunnel-boring machines, equipment India uses for rail, metro and road tunnels.
- Experts cited in the report said the curbs are unlikely to halt construction but could slow major projects.
- The report said the restrictions have intensified calls for India to develop its own advanced tunnelling equipment.
India's plans to build high-speed railways, metro networks and strategic roads through the Himalayas could be hampered by proposed Chinese restrictions on tunnel-boring machines, according to a report dated November 4, 2026. The report said the curbs expose a dependence on foreign technology that New Delhi may find difficult to overcome.
Experts cited in the report said the restrictions are unlikely to halt construction but could slow major projects. The report said the curbs have intensified calls for India to develop its own advanced tunnelling equipment.
The report did not state the terms of the proposed restrictions, when they would take effect, or which projects would be affected.