The Boast Is Ready. The Boring Machines Aren't.
The Take
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India will build its own tunnel-boring machines if China stops supplying them. The timing is rich. China's export licences bite on 18 November. Three German machines for Indian projects already sat at Chinese customs, the German envoy said last year. The resolve is brand new. The machines are still on order.
The Wire
On 3 November 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India will develop its own tunnel-boring machines if China stops supplying them, per Free Press Journal. China's export licences for the machines take effect on 18 November, Business Today reported, citing Reuters. In September 2025 the German ambassador said Chinese customs held at least three Herrenknecht machines for Indian projects. Herrenknecht is now setting up production in India.
Why it matters
Metro tunnels and water projects run on these machines, and the supply chain was already squeezed once before the minister's deadline arrived.
The receipts
Source: Free Press Journal