Delhi’s infamous traffic snarls are all too familiar for daily commuters. In a good news for thousands who hit the road daily, the Delhi government on Sunday unveiled plans for a new 5 km-long tunnel project, designed to ease congestion in South Delhi’s busiest stretches. The initiative also aims to improve connectivity between the capital and key parts of the National Capital Region (NCR).
The tunnel will connect Shiv Murti-Mahipalpur near the Dwarka Expressway to Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. It will cost Rs 3,500 crore and will be built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This is one of six major infrastructure projects recently approved for Delhi by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the tunnel will have two underground tubes, one for each direction, with three lanes each, making it a six-lane tunnel overall.
It will include modern features like electro-mechanical systems, proper ventilation, fire safety, CCTV cameras, control rooms, emergency exits and cross-passages.
The tunnel is planned to provide a direct, signal-free link between South Delhi and Dwarka/Gurugram. This is expected to ease traffic jams on NH-48, especially during rush hours and reduce pressure on roads like Nelson Mandela Road, Mahipalpur, Rangpuri, Dhaula Kuan and Rao Tula Ram Marg.
“We are committed to making Delhi congestion-free and clean. The construction of this tunnel will reduce the burden on roads, eliminate traffic signals, and save fuel,” said CM Rekha Gupta. She added that the tunnel is “the foundation for the Delhi of the future” and will help transform the city’s transport system.
Part of a bigger infra push
This tunnel is part of a larger Rs 24,000 crore infrastructure plan approved for Delhi after a meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
In the future, the tunnel will also act as a key link between Central and East Delhi and several major highways and expressways such as the Delhi-Katra Expressway (NE-5), NH-44, NH-10, Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-48), and Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B). This will happen through its connection to the Urban Extension Road (UER) and Dwarka Expressway.
This network is expected to reduce the load on major roads and help improve air quality in the region.
When will work start?
The CM’s Office said that all technical and formal approvals are almost complete. Construction work is expected to begin early next year.