5-Km Tunnel To Ease Traffic Across South Delhi And Parts Of NCR: Here’s All You Need To Know

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced a new 5-km-long tunnel project aimed at decongesting traffic across South Delhi and key routes into the NCR. The tunnel will link Shiv Murti-Mahipalpur near the Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. Estimated at Rs 3,500 crore, the project will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and is one of six major infrastructure initiatives recently approved for Delhi by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

As per the Chief Minister’s Office, the tunnel will feature two underground tubes—one for each direction—with three lanes each, adding up to six lanes in total.

The tunnel is planned as a direct, signal-free corridor connecting South Delhi with Dwarka and Gurgaon, aimed at reducing traffic congestion on NH-48, particularly during peak hours. It is also expected to ease the load on key routes like Nelson Mandela Road, Mahipalpur, Rangpuri, Dhaula Kuan, and Rao Tula Ram Marg.

The facility will be equipped with modern infrastructure, including electro-mechanical systems, ventilation, fire safety features, CCTV surveillance, control rooms, emergency exits, and cross-passages for enhanced safety and monitoring.

The tunnel project is a key step in the government's push to make Delhi congestion-free and environmentally cleaner by reducing road traffic, eliminating signals, and conserving fuel. It is expected to play a vital role in transforming the city's transport infrastructure and enhancing connectivity.

The project forms part of a larger Rs 24,000-crore infrastructure package recently approved for Delhi after a meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. In the long run, the tunnel is expected to become a key connector linking Central and East Delhi with several major national 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)—through the Urban Extension Road (UER) and Dwarka Expressway.

This integrated network aims to ease traffic congestion on arterial roads and contribute to improved air quality in the region.