The Union Cabinet clears a ₹6,969 crore project for an 8.1-km, six-lane road tunnel in Delhi that links the Dwarka Expressway with the Nelson Mandela Marg near Vasant Kunj. The project is described as part of NH-148AE and is intended to improve road connectivity across Delhi, particularly between West and South Delhi, while easing traffic burdens on routes used to reach the airport and other key corridors. Reports state that the tunnel is planned through the hybrid annuity mode (HAM) and is expected to be completed in about five years. The tunnel alignment includes a 1.98-km stretch passing beneath the Southern Ridge Forest, with an underground twin-tube design intended to reduce disruption at the surface.
The approvals also include plans for road interconnections to manage congestion and ensure connectivity at key junctions. These measures involve links connecting the tunnel to existing elevated roads and additional elevated structures at the Nelson Mandela Marg area and along nearby segments involving Mahipalpur and Chhatarpur Road. The project is projected to generate substantial employment during development, with estimates reported in terms of direct and indirect person-days.
