HomeDelhi Rail Tunnel Work to Start in 2026

Delhi Rail Tunnel Work to Start in 2026

Delhi is preparing for the construction of a 5‑kilometre underground tunnel between Shiv Murti (Mahipalpur) and Nelson Mandela Road (Vasant Kunj), expected to commence in early 2026 pending final clearances. With an estimated cost of ₹3,500 crore, the twin‑tube, six‑lane tunnel aims to ease chronic congestion, cut travel time, and reduce emissions along major south Delhi corridors.

The project, approved under a broader ₹24,000 crore infrastructure programme, marks an ambitious effort by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to reshape the city’s mobility future. Housing two underground tunnels—each comprising three lanes—the structure will run approximately 20 metres below ground along the Rangpuri Bypass Expressway, enabling uninterrupted travel from south Delhi to Dwarka and onward to Gurugram. Officials underscore the tunnel’s dual advantage: it will decongest heavily trafficked roads such as Nelson Mandela Road, Mahipalpur, Rangpuri, and National Highway 48, while reducing vehicle idling and emissions—key to Delhi’s urban pollution and climate resilience goals. Equipped with advanced safety systems—including ventilation, CCTV, fire suppression, and emergency exits—the tunnel is being presented as a template for sustainable urban transit infrastructure.

Beyond easing commuting, planners emphasise the tunnel’s potential environmental impact. By diverting traffic away from surface roads, vehicles will spend less time stationary, thereby reducing fuel consumption and polluting emissions—aligning with the zero‑carbon agenda and healthy city frameworks. The project will also deepen inter-agency cooperation, involving central and state bodies. According to transport officials, clearances have been secured from the Supreme Court and the Central Empowered Committee, while public hearings and forest approvals are in advanced stages. The DPCC has raised concerns regarding environmental impacts, but inspectors note that using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will safeguard surface ecology and resident structures during construction

Of particular note is the project’s impact on Delhi’s southern Ridge—a protected urban forest spanning 5.825 hectares, and another 1.68 hectares of deemed forest. Authorities have proposed felling 417 trees under compensatory afforestation measures. The Ridge Management Board approved the project in November 2022, followed by subsequent approvals from CEC (June 2023) and Supreme Court (October 2023). Final clearance under the Forest Conservation Act is awaited. This tunnel will also create new connectivity corridors, linking to major highways—NE‑5, NH‑44, NH‑10, Delhi–Jaipur NH‑48, and Delhi–Dehradun NH‑709B—via the Urban Extension Road II and Dwarka Expressway It aligns with ongoing initiatives to modernise Delhi’s transport network, including metro extensions, expressway upgrades, and overbridge developments.

While local associations and pollution watchdogs have raised concerns about environmental and structural impacts, officials counter that modern tunnelling methods will mitigate these risks. A DPCC assessment indicates the TBM approach will protect surface-level vegetation and infrastructure, and a comprehensive Environment Management Plan will address construction-related pollution. Urban mobility experts say the project’s long-term value will depend on timely execution and integration with wider sustainable urban planning. It exemplifies Delhi’s shift toward subterranean traffic solutions that reduce surface pressure while preserving city life above. Yet, they caution that true benefits will emerge only with thoughtful implementation and focus on pedestrian‑friendly access and green buffers at entry and exit points.

In Khabar Metro’s view, the tunnel represents a pivotal step toward a more efficient, equitable, and environmentally responsible Delhi. Its success, however, will hinge on effective inter‑departmental coordination, responsive pollution mitigation strategies, and shared ownership of both environmental and mobility outcomes. As the city moves beyond approvals and into construction, sustained engagement from civic agencies, transport planners, and the public will be critical. The tunnel holds the promise of transforming south Delhi’s daily commute and air quality—but only if the project stays on track and remains aligned with the capital’s broader vision of a clean, green, and accessible metropolis.

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Delhi Rail Tunnel Work to Start in 2026
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