India's first 8-lane expressway tunnel under tiger reserve to open in August

India is set to open its first eight-lane highway tunnel, constructed beneath the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Kota district, in August. This significant infrastructure project, part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, aims to drastically cut travel time between Delhi and Vadodara.

The 4.9-kilometer twin-tube tunnel is designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic in each tube. Currently undergoing safety trials, it has already been opened for cars and emergency vehicles. Full access for all traffic, including heavy vehicles, will be granted after final evaluations of safety systems and mobile network connectivity are completed. Project director Sandeep Agrawal from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Kota confirmed that trials with light vehicles are ongoing and the official opening for all categories is expected in August, following directives from the Union Ministry.

This tunnel is a landmark achievement in integrating infrastructure with environmental conservation. It was constructed entirely below the tiger reserve to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife movement and preserve the forest ecosystem. Wildlife corridors have been maintained, allowing animals to move freely above the tunnel. Specialized engineering techniques were employed to minimize ecological impact while ensuring efficient traffic flow. The project took over four years to complete, overcoming geological and environmental challenges while adhering to strict conservation standards.

Officials anticipate that the tunnel will eliminate approximately 25 kilometers of winding road through the reserve. Once the entire Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is operational, the travel time between Delhi and Vadodara is expected to decrease from the current 20-22 hours to about 10-12 hours. The phased opening and ongoing testing of safety features, including communication and emergency response systems, are crucial steps before the tunnel is fully operational for all vehicles.

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The eight-lane highway tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway beneath MHTR has not yet been officially opened for all vehicle categories. Currently, only trials are underway with light vehicles such as cars.