About Dr. Rajnish Kumar Goel
India's foremost expert in Himalayan tunnelling and underground infrastructure advisory.
Dr. Rajnish Kumar Goel
Tunnel Design Advisor & Rock Mechanics Expert
M.Tech (Applied Geology), IIT Roorkee, 1982
Ph.D (Tunnel Engineering), VNIT Nagpur, 1995
Professor & Chief Scientist, CSIR-CIMFR (Superannuated 2020)
Independent Tunnel Design Advisor / Consultant
Noida, India
Professional Background
Dr. Rajnish Kumar Goel is one of India's most respected authorities in tunnel engineering, rock mechanics, and underground infrastructure. With over 37 years at CSIR-CIMFR, India's premier mining and fuel research institute, he built, led, and mentored the country's leading team in tunnelling R&D and consultancy.
His work spans the full spectrum of underground engineering: from designing defence infrastructure for the Indian military to advising on India's longest highway tunnels, from developing indigenous instrumentation to writing the national BIS codes that govern how tunnels are designed across the country.
Since superannuation in 2020, Dr. Goel works as an independent consultant and proof check advisor, bringing his field experience to bear on the most challenging projects in the country's infrastructure pipeline.
The Differentiator: Research That Became Practice
What sets Dr. Goel apart from a typical consultant is that his research has directly shaped how India builds tunnels. His empirical correlations for predicting squeezing ground conditions, estimating support pressures, and determining bolt lengths are embedded in BIS codes and used daily by engineers across the country. He is not just an advisor on projects, he helped define the standard by which those projects are built.
Philosophy
"Handling rocks with care"
His core philosophy on controlled excavation and respect for geology
"Silent Tunnel Revolution"
His advocacy for tunnelling as a sustainable solution for India's infrastructure
"Research translated into standards"
His commitment to ensuring academic work reaches the field
"Bridging research, field engineering, and national infrastructure"
The core narrative of 37 years of work
Awards & Recognition
ISRMTT Lifetime Achievement Award
Indian Society for Rock Mechanics & Tunnelling Technology
Best Paper Award (×2)
ISRMTT, Papers in Journal of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Technology
Excellence in Academics/Research Award
Institution of Engineers (India), Roorkee Local Centre
IIT Roorkee Gopal Ranjan Research Award
For innovative and creative work in geological and geotechnical applications
Outstanding Contribution to Rock Mechanics Award
ISRMTT, Presented at Indorock 2011
National Mineral Award (National Geoscience Award)
Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, Applied Geology (Engineering Geology)
Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing Certificate
Elsevier in cooperation with International Tunnelling Association