Nirajan Khadka

Senior Tunnel and Civil/Geotechnical Engineer

Email: [email protected] | Mobile: +33 7 68 17 80 44
Nationality: Nepalese (Permanent Resident of France) | Languages: English, French, Nepali, Indian

Profile Summary:

Accomplished Senior Tunnel Engineer with over 20 years of diverse experience in the construction of tunnels,
shafts, caverns for hydropower, transportation, and infrastructure projects. Expertise in conventional tunnelling
and Slurry TBM methods under diverse geological conditions. Proven ability in managing tunnelling operations,
conducting geotechnical investigations, and implementing quality controls for complex underground
structures. Skilled in team leadership, project planning, and coordination with multiple stakeholders to ensure
timely and cost-effective project completion.

Core Competencies:

• Tunnel Design and Construction Management: In-depth knowledge of tunnel excavation, support
systems, and lining, including slurry TBM and drill-and-blast techniques.
• Geotechnical Risk Management: Expertise in identifying and managing geotechnical risks, performing
geological surveys, and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Project Leadership: Successful track record of managing complex tunnel and hydropower projects from
inception to completion, ensuring adherence to time, budget, and quality requirements.
• Contract Management: Experience in working with FIDIC contracts, assisting in project planning using
PRIMAVERA, and managing project documentation.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Strong communication skills for coordinating with clients, contractors,
consultants, and regulatory bodies to ensure smooth project execution.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Expertise in verifying method statements, managing
instrumentation, and ensuring all construction activities meet design specifications and standards.

Professional Experience Highlights:

Freelance Contract Ateneos conseil and Aptiskills:

Fayolle – Quality Assurance Manager – Construction of new buildings de SIAPP (Dec 2024 – till date)
• Drafting the Quality Assurance Plan and monitoring the implemented quality system
• Preparing and tracking hold points and critical points
• Drafting and monitoring self-inspections
• Drafting and monitoring non-conformity reports
• Monitoring tests and trials, Preparing procedures and methodologies
• Monitoring of documents in the EDM (Electronic Document Management) system

Eiffage Génie Civil – Geochnical Referent - EPR 2 Penly Nuclear Project (Mar 2024 – Oct 2024)
• Leading geotechnical risk management for the project.
• Overseeing the execution and methodology for various tunnel and underground civil works,
ensuring compliance with technical standards and safety regulations.

Webuild/Salini Impregilo – Assistant Manager Underground/Tunnel Supervision- TELT Lyon-Turin Tunnel

Project Lot 2 C06/07 (Aug 2023 – Mar 2024)

• Oversaw tunnel construction activities, including drill-and-blast and support system implementation
for complex geological conditions.
• Managed quality control and compliance for geotechnical surveys, tunnelling progress, and support
installation.
• Coordinated with geologists and engineers for real-time adaptation of tunnelling methods based on
site conditions.
Egis Tunnel – Geotechnical Incharge - Grand Paris Metro Line 16 project (Nov 2022 – Oct 2023)

• Supervised and coordinated daily slurry TBM excavation activities, ensuring alignment with project
specifications and production targets.
• Monitored and optimized face pressure, slurry circulation, and excavation parameters to maintain
ground stability and control settlements.
• Oversaw soil conditioning and separation plant operations, including bentonite slurry preparation,
desanding, and decantation processes.
• Interpreted geotechnical data to adapt excavation methodology in variable ground conditions (clay,
sand, gravels, water-bearing strata).
• Coordinated with TBM manufacturers, surveyors, segment crews, and logistics teams to streamline
tunneling progress.
• Managed ring building operations, including segment installation, grouting, and gasket alignment.
• Participated in maintenance and troubleshooting of TBM components (cutterhead, screw conveyor,
slurry pumps, hydraulic systems).
• Contributed to daily and weekly reporting, including production rates, incidents, consumption of
bentonite/additives, and downtime analysis.
• Supervised injection and backfilling operations to ensure annular gap filling and tunnel lining support.
• Supported the development of method statements, risk assessments, and quality control procedures.
• Utilized instrumentation data (settlement, pore pressure, convergence) to evaluate excavation impact
on surrounding structures.
• Tracked and documented non-conformities and adaptations, ensuring traceability and corrective
actions.
• Managed geotechnical activities for shaft construction, and diaphragm wall installation.
• Provided expert advice and support on geotechnical challenges, ensuring proper risk management and
compliance.

Setec Terrasol – Geotechnical Engineer - CIGEO Project (ANDRA) (Oct 2019 – Sept 2022)

• Led tunnelling supports system designs and construction for experimental galleries.
• Conducted detailed geotechnical surveys and risk assessments to adjust tunnelling methods based on
geological conditions.
• Provided leadership in analysing and interpreting tunnel behaviour and auscultation data.

PINI Swiss Engineers – Civil Engineer - HL-LHC Project at CERN (Jul 2018 – Aug 2019)

• Supervise the construction of shafts, caverns, and tunnels.

• Assure quality for tunnel excavation activities, ensuring compliance with safety standards and
tunneling specifications.
• Supervised the installation of tunnel support systems and monitoring equipment for ground
movement and stability.

Senior Engineer, Hydropower Projects (Nepal, 2001–2016)

• Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project (456 MW) -Lahmeyer International (Current Tractebel): Led
the excavation of a 2.9 km tunnel and large caverns; supervised quality of civil works.
• Melamchi Water Supply Project (27 km Tunnel): Design Engineer for tunnel.
• Upper Chaku-A Hydroelectric Project (22.2 MW): Managed the construction of a 2.4 km headrace
tunnel and 350 m inclined tunnel, open shaft and powerhouse construction.
• Indrawati III/Lower Indrawati Hydroelectric Projects (7.5 MW/4.5 MW; 3.1 Km/3 km tunnel)

Education :

• Master’s Degree in Geotechnics & Risks– Université de Lorraine, France

• Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering– Université Catholique de Louvain, France
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering – Kantipur Engineering College, Nepal
Key Skills & Software :

• Tunnel Design & Construction: TBM, Conventional Method, Shotcrete, Rock Bolts, Grouting.
• Geotechnical Software: PLAXIS, Talren, K-Réa, D-Sheet-Piling.
• Project Management : Primavera, AutoCAD, Revit.
• Risk Management & Monitoring: Geotechnical Testing, Instrumentation, and Data Analysis.

Languages: French: Full Professional Proficiency ; English: Full Professional Proficiency ; Nepali/Indian:
Native/Bilingual Proficiency

Notable Project :

TELT Lyon-Turin Tunnel Project (France) ; Grand Paris Metro Line 16 (France) ; EPR 2 Penly Nuclear Project
(France); HL-LHC Project at CERN (Switzerland); Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project (Nepal)