India¡¯s longest tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway with 3.3 km underground, 1.6 km cut-and-cover method nears completion

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway news: India¡¯s longest tunnel, being built on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, is close to completion. This remarkable tunnel, passing through the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Rajasthan, will be a game-changer for connectivity and transportation.

Massive 4.9 km Tunnel with Advanced Engineering

This eight-lane tunnel, the first of its kind in India, features two parallel tubes, each having four lanes. It stretches 4.9 km, out of which 3.3 km is underground, while the remaining 1.6 km is built using the cut-and-cover method. This engineering marvel is a crucial part of the expressway, designed to enhance travel between Delhi and Mumbai.

Major Milestone Achieved in Tunnel Construction

On Friday, engineers and workers celebrated a key milestone¡ªthe breakthrough of Tube-1, which connects Kota to Chechat. A senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official confirmed that Tube-1 is fully excavated, while Tube-2, running from Chechat to Kota, has only 60 metres of excavation left. This remaining work is expected to be completed within a month.

Once excavation is done, additional work will be carried out to widen and increase the height of certain sections of the tunnel. Officials have set a goal to complete all excavation by June 2024, after which road construction and other finishing touches will begin.

High-Tech Features for Safety and Efficiency

This state-of-the-art tunnel will include several advanced technologies, such as:

• AI-based monitoring systems
• Lighting and pollution control systems
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technology
• Real-time sensors for safety and security

With these modern features, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway¡¯s longest tunnel will provide a smooth and secure travel experience for commuters.

Wider and Taller Tunnel for Better Traffic Flow

Currently, the tunnel¡¯s width is narrower in certain sections, but officials have assured that by March 2024, the width will expand from 9 metres to 19 metres, and the height will increase from 8 metres to 11 metres, according to TOI. Additionally, electrical and communication systems will be installed to ensure seamless operations.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: A Game-Changer for Indian Roads

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning 1,350 km, is India¡¯s longest expressway, designed as an eight-lane access-controlled road, with future plans to expand to 12 lanes. This ambitious project connects Mumbai, India¡¯s financial capital, with New Delhi, the national capital.

In Rajasthan, 327 km of the 373 km stretch under construction is already open to toll-paying traffic. However, some sections remain closed until interchanges are fully constructed.

India¡¯s Longest Tunnel Completion Timeline

India¡¯s longest tunnel completion is expected by December 2025. With rapid progress, the tunnel will soon boost connectivity on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, reducing travel time and enhancing road infrastructure.

This mega tunnel project is a landmark achievement for India's transportation network and will play a key role in strengthening road connectivity across the country.

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