New Delhi: On Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Central Government has sanctioned a series of infrastructure projects valued at ₹24,000 crore aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and reducing pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas. Among these initiatives is a significant five-kilometer tunnel connecting Shiv Murti-Mahipalpur (Dwarka Expressway) to Nelson Mandela Road (Vasant Kunj).
The tunnel, which will be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is projected to cost approximately ₹3,500 crore. This approval was granted during a recent meeting with Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
Chief Minister Gupta indicated that construction is expected to commence early next year. The project will feature two underground tubes, each comprising three lanes, resulting in a total of six lanes that will provide a signal-free alternative route between South Delhi and Dwarka/Gurugram.
मुख्यमंत्री श्रीमती रेखा गुप्ता ने दिल्ली की बुनियादी ढांचे से जुड़ी बड़ी परियोजनाओं के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी और केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री नितिन गडकरी जी के प्रति आभार व्यक्त किया है।
— CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) June 8, 2025
अब केंद्र सरकार के सहयोग से NHAI दिल्ली में नई सड़कों के साथ-साथ ड्रेनेज… pic.twitter.com/fpBtZx6u9c
In addition to its capacity, the tunnel will be outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities, including electro-mechanical systems, advanced ventilation, fire safety measures, CCTV surveillance, control rooms, emergency exits, and cross-passages.
Gupta emphasized that the tunnel will significantly alleviate traffic congestion on key routes such as Rangpuri, Dhaula Kuan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, and National Highway 48 (NH-48).
Furthermore, it will serve as a vital connector between Central and East Delhi and several major expressways and highways, including the Delhi Expressway (NE-5), NH-44, NH-10, the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-48), and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B) via the Urban Extension Road (UER) and Dwarka Expressway.
Referring to this initiative as the “Foundation for the Delhi of the Future,” the Chief Minister emphasized that the tunnel will revolutionize infrastructure in the national capital and provide much-needed relief to millions of residents.
