Elevated roads and tunnel to link Vasant Kunj, Dwarka and Gurgaon

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is likely to approve the long-awaited Rs 7,000-crore tunnel project, along with approach roads, connecting Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj to the Shiv Murti interchange on DelhiGurgaon Expressway.

The project, comprising a tunnel, flyovers and an elevated U-turn, will ensure seamless connectivity to Terminal 3 and Gurgaon and Dwarka Expressways for traffic travelling from Munirka and Chhattarpur, and vice versa.The proposal for the project has been in the making for more than five years. TOI has learnt that PPPAC, the apex panel that appraises projects involving private investment, has recommended the project and this would be placed before the Cabinet soon.As per the submission of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to the PPPAC, the six-lane tunnel connecting Nelson Mandela Marg to Shiv Murti interchange would provide faster connectivity between west and south Delhi as it connects UER-II and Dwarka Expressway in West Delhi with Vasant Kunj in south Delhi. It will also benefit traffic coming from Gurgaon and IGI airport towards south Delhi. “The tunnel will provide a signal-free alternative to the hea vily congested Mahipalpur stretch, improving traffic flow and reducing travel time,” NHAI informed the PPPAC.

NHAI has estimated the traffic around 38,015 passenger car units (PCUs) per day, which is projected to reach around 1.3 lakh PCUs by 2053.It also informed the PPPAC that on the Nelson Mandela Marg side, a six-lane elevated corridor is proposed beyond the tunnel exit. This will cross over the Mahipalpur-Chhatarpur intersection near the DDA office and pass over the intersection of B and C Blocks of Vasant Kunj (B-10 market) before terminating near Ambience mall.The plan to build an elevated 6-lane corridor from AIIMS — where Barapulla elevated road terminates — to Nelson Mandela Road is being finalised. “So, the two elevated roads will make the travel from Gurgaon Expressway and Dwarka Expressway to AIIMS, Sarai Kale Khan and East Delhi will be seamless for commuters. The alignment of AIIMS to Nelson Mandela Road will be finalised soon and will be put for approval,” said an official.In addition, NHAI will build a two-lane flyover for traffic coming from Chattarpur to Mahipalpur, parallel to the existing two-lane elevated stretch. Another elevated Uturn will also be built for traffic coming from exiting the tunnel to head towards Chhatarpur.“The project aims to address the requirement of traffic coming from all directions and hence there is a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth flow of vehicles for the next few decades.

We are confident that all the proposed road networks including from AIIMS will be completed by the time the tunnel work gets over,” said another official.As per NHAI’s submission, the construction of the tunnel will require five years and it would require a customised tunnel boring machine (TBM) of approximately 13mX6m dimension. It said, “Since the concessionaire can place the TBM order only after issuance of Letter of Appointment, it takes about 18 months for manufacturing and delivery. Additionally, tunnel construction is estimated to take around 3.5 years.

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