Cabinet approves construction of 6-lane tunnel to connect Dwarka Expressway to Vasant Kunj | What we know

The 8.1-km road tunnel for NH-148AE will be constructed through the hybrid annuity mode (HAM), and the project is expected to be completed in five years.

Updated on: Jul 1, 2026, 18:09:10 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Cabinet has given the nod for a major construction project, which aims to bring ease to Delhi's commuters. A new six-lane road tunnel, which will connect Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj, will be constructed over the next five years.

A new six-lane road tunnel, which will connect Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj, will be constructed over the next five years. (HT Archive)

As per the announcement made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the 8.1-km road tunnel for NH-148AE will be constructed through the hybrid annuity mode (HAM), and the project is expected to be completed in five years.

"The first project is the 2-lane Dwarka tunnel. This will prove to be a huge boon for Delhi. This 8-kms tunnel addresses a long-standing demand... As per the detailed map: starting from the Shiv Murti interchange, going to Vasant Kunj, then Nelson Mandela Marg, and continuing to the elevated corridor near the Barapullah drain towards the DND Flyway - this will become a completely new corridor," said Vaishnaw.

Also Read | A first step towards protecting the Ridge

The union minister added that the tunnel will be constructed underneath the Ridge, so that no disturbance is caused to the ecologically sensitive area.

"All work must be done without disturbing the Ridge. This Ridge is, in a way, the lungs of Delhi. Therefore, the tunnel must be taken from underneath it without disturbing it at all," Vaishnaw told reporters.

How will the route impact commuters?

The project will provide a direct link between the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II)-Dwarka Expressway corridor and South Delhi, and will improve connectivity for traffic from Gurugram, Dwarka, the Indira Gandhi International Airport and West Delhi.

As per an official statement from the government, the tunnel will eventually connect to the proposed AIIMS-Mahipalpur elevated corridor, providing seamless access to the Barapullah elevated road, linking West, South, and East Delhi, as well as Ghaziabad and Noida.

The government added that an elevated 1.8-km road will also be proposed along Nelson Mandela Marg to address congestion at the intersection.

According to the government, this project is expected to generate about 7.54 lakh person-days of direct employment and 9.8 lakh person-days of indirect employment during construction.

(With inputs from HT's Soumya Chatterjee)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.