Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Moves Closer To Opening As 4.9-Km Tunnel Under Tiger Reserve Completed

The much-anticipated Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is almost on the verge of becoming fully operational. Reports suggest that the expressway could open to the public any time after June 20, after the successful completion of a crucial 4.9-kilometre tunnel near Kota in Rajasthan. Scroll down to know more about it.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Nears Its Completion

As per a report by NDTV, the highly ambitious project was first launched back in 2019. While the vast section connecting Delhi to Gujarat was completed earlier, the overall project faced small delays due to land acquisition challenges. Built at an approximate cost of ₹1 lakh crore, the expressway is now in its final stages of completion.

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The completion of the 4.9-kilometre tunnel near Kota is a major achievement for the project. For the first time, an eight-lane highway has been built directly beneath an ecologically delicate zone, specifically the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. This specific stretch is considered a historic milestone in construction development, as no other tunnel has ever supported an eight-lane road. The tunnel serves as a crucial component of the 1,386-kilometre-long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

Travel Time To Cut To Just 12 Hours

Once completed, the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai will be significantly reduced to just 12 hours, a journey that at present takes more than 24 hours.

In addition to drastically cutting down travel times, the expressway is expected to significantly reduce logistics and freight transportation costs. Additionally, it will also vastly improve intercity connectivity between Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

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Most importantly, the subterranean design of the tunnel ensures the smooth movement of high-speed vehicles on the corridor without disrupting the local wildlife. The layout of this underground pass allowed engineers to bypass a long, winding route through the hills. This key section in Kota was one of the last major missing links preventing the continuous flow of traffic across the mega-expressway.

Are you excited about this expressway?

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons