- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 09 Mar 2025 11:58 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Update: India’s first 8-lane tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, passing through the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Rajasthan, is nearing completion. The tunnel consists of two parallel tubes, each with four lanes. Stretching 4.9 km, the tunnel includes a 3.3 km underground section, while the remaining 1.6 km is being constructed using the cut-and-cover method.
On Friday, engineers and workers celebrated the completion of Tube-1, which connects Kota to Chechat, after successful excavation, according to a TOI report.
NHAI’s Response
A senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official confirmed that while Tube-1 has been fully excavated, only 60 metres of excavation remains in Tube-2 (Chechat to Kota). This work is expected to be completed within a month. Following the excavation, further modifications will be made to expand the tunnel’s width and height in certain sections. The entire excavation process is likely to be finished by June 2024, after which road construction and other essential works will begin.
Features Of Tunnel On Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
The tunnel will have state-of-the-art systems:
- AI-based monitoring
- Lighting and sensors
- Pollution control systems
- Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
Officials have set a target to complete the tunnel's construction by December 2025.
Tunnel Expansion
The tunnel’s breadth will increase from nine to 19 metres, while its height will rise from eight to 11 metres. Additionally, security measures and technical systems, including electrical installations and communication facilities, will be put in place.
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Stretch In Rajasthan.
About Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a 1,350 km access-controlled expressway, designed as an eight-lane expressway, with the possibility of expanding to 12 lanes in the future. In Rajasthan, 327 km of the 373 km stretch under construction is already operational.