The construction of India's longest tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, passing through the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, is nearing completion. The ambitious 4.9 km tunnel is the first of its kind in India, featuring eight lanes divided into two parallel tubes, each with four lanes.

According to a senior official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), only 60 metres of excavation remains for Tube-2, which runs from Chechat to Kota. The official stated, “The remaining excavation will be completed within a month. After this, further excavation will be done to increase the tunnel’s width and height in certain sections.”

Tunnel Construction Details Out of the total 4.9 km stretch, 3.3 km is underground, while the remaining 1.6 km has been constructed using the cut-and-cover method. The tunnel’s width will be expanded from 9 to 19 metres, and its height will be increased from 8 to 11 metres by March 2025. Once the excavation is completed by June 2025, work will proceed with road construction, security measures, electrical systems, and communication facilities.

Part of a Major Infrastructure Project The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning 1,350 km, aims to enhance connectivity between Mumbai and New Delhi. In Rajasthan alone, 327 km of the 373 km stretch is already operational. However, the completion of interchanges is still required before some sections can open for traffic.

The completion of this tunnel is expected to be a significant milestone in India's infrastructure development, providing faster and safer transportation between two of the country's largest cities.