The 1.2 km stretch of 31.6 km long head race tunnel head of the Parbati hydroelectric project, stage II executed from the face-03 side, was critical for its successful commissioning. The tunneling through hard and brittle quartzite posed several geological challenges. Unabated occurrences of stress-induced rock bursts frequently disrupted the excavation. Sudden ingress of groundwater (> 6000 lpm) with high hydrostatic pressure resulted in tunnel flooding. Extensive cement and PU grouting were unable to arrest water seepage, so it was felt prudent to detour the tunnel. Further, a fault zone striking sub-parallel to the tunnel drive was intercepted characterized by highly fractured rock mass and groundwater ingress (> 2500 lpm). Just after negotiating the shear zone, a few violent rock bursts occurred resulting in the cavity formation and accumulation of a huge quantity of muck burying the drilling jumbo. After undertaking extensive grouting, pipe roofing, fore-poling, etc., tunnel excavation was resumed. Tunnel seismic prediction and probe holes were carried out progressively. Rock-bursting incidents were recorded on a progressive basis employing an innovative technique. Stress relief holes and SFRS were provided to stabilize the tunnel. These efforts ensured safe tunneling for achieving the long-awaited tunnel daylighting.