The Delhi government has unveiled a major infrastructure initiative aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city. A 5-kilometre-long tunnel will be constructed between Shiv Murti–Mahipalpur and Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. The project is intended to enhance vehicle movement, reduce traffic jams, and lower pollution levels in South Delhi and surrounding NCR regions.

The tunnel is one of six major infrastructure projects approved by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an estimated cost of Rs 35 billion.

The planned structure will consist of two underground tubes, each comprising three lanes to facilitate smooth and rapid vehicular flow. The tunnel will be equipped with advanced features, including electro-mechanical systems, ventilation units, fire safety infrastructure, CCTV surveillance, emergency exits, cross-passages, and control rooms for monitoring and safety management.

The project is expected to significantly ease traffic pressure on key roads such as Nelson Mandela Road, Mahipalpur, and Rangpuri, and also reduce congestion at critical junctions like Dhaula Kuan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, and NH-48. It will create a signal-free route connecting South Delhi to Dwarka and Gurugram.

In the long term, the tunnel will integrate with major highways including NH-44, NH-10, NH-48, NE-5, NH-709B, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway via the Urban Extension Road and the Dwarka Expressway, improving regional connectivity across Delhi.

News source: Native Planet