This tunnel would be built between Vasant Kunj’s Nelson Mandela Marg and Mahipalpur’s Shiv Murti interchange.
The proposed tunnel will 4.78-km long with six-lane stretch, as part of the NHAI’s project for NH 148AE.
The Central government is set to begin works on a tunnel — connecting Terminal-3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with south Delhi and Gurugram, within two months.
This tunnel would be built between Vasant Kunj’s Nelson Mandela Marg and Mahipalpur’s Shiv Murti. The proposed tunnel will 4.78-km long with six-lane stretch, as part of the NHAI’s project for National Highway (NH) 148AE.
South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri said “The tunnel, costing about Rs 2,000 crore, from Vasant Kunj Nelson Mandela Marg to Shiv Murti in Mahipalpur, has been approved. When complete, it would be possible to reach Gurgaon and the airport without getting stuck in a jam.”
The ministry approved the construction after design changes and the removal of technical hurdles. At 14 metres width, this will be one of the widest tunnels in the country, reports Times of India.
Details of the Proposed Tunnel
Senior officials said that after the construction of the tunnel, three major roads — the Delhi-Jaipur highway, Dwarka Expressway and Nelson Mandela Road — will be connected.
The highway project is expected to decongest NH-48 in Mahipalpur and Rangpuri area. NH-48 carries traffic from Gurgaon to Vasant Kunj and Chhatarpur.
Vehicles reaching the Delhi-Jaipur NH-48 via the Dwarka Expressway from north Delhi will be able to go directly to NH 148AE via the tunnel and Shiv Murti. For this, at present, one has to cover around 13 km.
The tunnel would be of twin tube configuration and each tunnel will have three lanes.
The finished diameter of the tunnel would be 13.8 metre and it will have electromechanical, ventilation, fire and safety systems. There will be cross passages and lay-bys at every 500 and 750 metre respectively.
Sources said the NHAI has invited tenders from construction agencies. According to the conditions laid down, the project will have to be complete in the next four years, according to reports.
The agency would have to maintain it for the next 10 years.
As per a senior official, the detail project report (DPR) was approved six months ago, but later some experts suggested several technical changes.