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This tunnel aims to provide a direct, signal-free route between South Delhi and Dwarka/Gurgaon, significantly reducing jams on NH-48 during rush hour.
This will be made possible through its connection with the Urban Extension Road (UER) and Dwarka Expressway. (Representational Image) (Photo: ETV Bharat)
A new 5-km underground tunnel is coming up in South Delhi to ease traffic congestion and provide a signal-free link to Dwarka and Gurgaon.
Announced by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Rs 3,500-crore project will be built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), as per The Indian Express.
The tunnel will run from Shiv Murti–Mahipalpur (near Dwarka Expressway) to Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. It forms part of six large infrastructure projects recently cleared by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Six-Lane Tunnel with Modern Safety Features
The design includes two underground tubes — one for each direction — with three lanes in each, making it a six-lane tunnel in total. It will include:
- Ventilation and fire safety systems
- CCTV surveillance and emergency exits
- Cross-passages and control rooms
This tunnel aims to provide a direct, signal-free route between South Delhi and Dwarka/Gurgaon, significantly reducing jams on NH-48 during rush hour.
Where Will This Tunnel Be?
The tunnel will link Shiv Murti-Mahipalpur near the Dwarka Expressway to Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj.
By offering an alternative traffic route, the tunnel is also expected to ease congestion on several busy roads, including:
- Nelson Mandela Road
- Mahipalpur and Rangpuri
- Dhaula Kuan
- Rao Tula Ram Marg
Furthermore, the tunnel is one of several infrastructure projects totalling Rs 24,000 crore that were recently approved for Delhi after a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
In the long run, this tunnel will link Central and East Delhi with major national highways like:
- Delhi–Katra Expressway (NE-5)
- NH-44 and NH-10
- Delhi–Jaipur Highway (NH-48)
- Delhi–Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B)
This will be made possible through its connection with the Urban Extension Road (UER) and Dwarka Expressway.
Work to Start Next Year
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, all necessary clearances are in their final stages, and construction is expected to begin early next year.
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c…Read More
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c… Read More
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