The Centre of Excellence for Tunnelling and Underground Construction (CoE-TUC) was inaugurated on June 23, 2025, at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) in Pune. The facility aims to provide competency-based training and support research in underground infrastructure development.
The centre features a Jumbo Drill Simulator developed by Sandvik, a Tunnel Instrumentation Lab, digital modelling and design systems, and practical training modules focused on safety and cost-efficiency. It also seeks to address the shortage of skilled professionals in India’s tunnelling sector.
CoE-TUC is a result of collaboration between MIT-WPU and Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. Formalised through a memorandum of understanding, the partnership is expected to bring academic and technical expertise to the programme. The initiative began in 2017 under the leadership of Rahul V. Karad, with operational management by Sandeep Potnis and support from Prasad Khandekar.
At the inauguration, Arnold Dix, President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, described competency as the foundation of safe and high-quality tunnel construction, which the CoE-TUC aims to develop.
The centre was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
MIT-WPU offers academic programmes across engineering, management, science, and humanities, and has launched several domain-specific centres of excellence as part of its focus on technical education.
