Project to link the Bhima and Sina rivers under way by B T Patil & Sons from two portals 20 km apart and five shafts using conventional drill/blast in basalt. Section 7 m-wide and 6.7 m-high to crowned roof. Progress averaging 1 km/month with 7 km completed to Sept 1998. Completion scheduled for end-Nov 2000. Indian record set for drill/blast in July with 173 m achieved on one face. Nov 1998.   Some 10.5 km excavated to March, 1999 averaging 1 km/month off 12 faces, with a best month of 1,183 m. More information fax Mr Kulkarni +91 831 22121. Sept 1999.  Contractor employing 650 drillers using 150 handheld Atlas Copco RH 656-4W pneumatic rockdrills mounted on BMK 62S jacklegs working off twelve faces using two-deck platforms with five drillers at floor level and two on each deck. Major muckshifting operation involving 2.5 million t hoisted by twin 15 t, 150 hp drums on gantry cranes at each shaft. Blasting pattern is double wedge with 106 x 3.6 m holes. Drilling takes 3.5 h and charge comprises special gelatine with primer at back of hole and packaged ANFO stemmed with 1.2 m of wet clay. Contractor will employ most of its labour force on an upcoming contract for a 9 km tunnel, but is actively seeking overseas work involving handheld equipment. More information from patsonbt@blr.vsnl.net.in October 1999.