The journey from Rajasthan to Delhi-Mumbai is about to become more beautiful. A 4.9-kilometer-long tunnel is about to open on this expressway. Asphalting work has begun on the tunnel, which passes beneath the Mukundra Tiger Reserve. Work on installing sensors and CCTV cameras are also in progress.

Kota: Motorists traveling on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Highway have received some relief. The 4.9-kilometer-long tunnel being built beneath the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan will be open to traffic by March 2026. Approximately 75% of the work on the eight-lane tunnel has been completed, and work is continuing at a war footing.

Both tubes are ready on the Chechat side

The 4.9 km long tunnel is built in two tubes under the Tiger Reserve. Both the tubes are ready towards Chechat in Kota district. Inside towards Gopalpura, a few meters of work is still remaining which is being done. It will be completed in about 1 month. Electrical panels, sensors and CCTV cameras are being installed in the tubes. NHAI Project Director Sandeep Agarwal says that after preparing both the tubes, the asphalting of the road has started a few days ago. The work of sensors, cameras and lighting is going on simultaneously. A target has been set to complete the work in this part of the tunnel in 2 months. If there are no problems, the work will be completed by February. There is a full effort to start the traffic from inside the tunnel in March.

Work slows down in the Gopalpura section towards Kota.

Compared to the rapid pace of work on the Chechat side of the 4.9-kilometer-long tunnel, work is progressing more slowly on the Gopalpura side. Construction is underway on a 50-meter section of the Gopalpura side, which will be completed this month. Roads, sensors, and lighting will also be installed in this section. This may take two to three months. Control rooms on both sides are in the finishing stages and will be used to monitor the tunnel.

As soon as the tunnel is operational, the 25 km detour will end.
Traffic from Delhi will run from Gopalpura Interchange on Delhi-Mumbai Express Highway. To go towards Mumbai, one has to pass through Dara Valley from Gopalpura. Where traffic jams persist and then one has to climb the highway near Ghatoli village towards Chechat. In such a situation, drivers have to take an additional 25 km detour due to the tunnel not being fully completed. As soon as the tunnel is completed and traffic starts, this 25 km detour will end. Along with this, the traffic load on NH-52 in Dara Valley will also reduce.

 PC:NBT