Traffic from Mumbai to Delhi starts via Rajasthan's widest Mukundra Tunnel from today
Jaipur, July 27
Traffic from Mumbai towards Delhi officially commenced through the Mukundra Tunnel in Kota district of Rajasthan, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, one of India's most ambitious highway projects, on Monday.
The tunnel is the widest road tunnel in Rajasthan and is expected to provide significant relief to motorists who have long faced traffic bottlenecks in the Dara Valley.
The second tunnel tube is in its final stages of construction and is expected to open soon. Once fully operational, the twin-tube tunnel will improve connectivity, enhance road safety, and reduce travel time for commuters and freight transport alike.
Developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the project is expected to lower transportation costs while accelerating the movement of goods across the region.
The opening also marks another important section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway becoming operational. The Mukundra Tunnel is expected to strengthen logistics across the Hadoti region by enabling faster transportation of agricultural and industrial products to major markets. Ramganjmandi's globally known coriander market is expected to benefit from improved connectivity.
Businesses involved in the Kota Stone industry and other stone products will also be able to transport goods more efficiently to Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and other key destinations.
The Dara Valley has witnessed frequent traffic congestion due to ongoing expressway construction and traffic diversions. With the opening of the tunnel, heavy vehicles will bypass much of the congested stretch, easing pressure on existing roads and improving traffic flow for both local commuters and long-distance travellers.
For safety reasons, vehicles carrying diesel, petrol, LPG, CNG, or other flammable gases and hazardous chemicals will not be permitted inside the tunnel. Such vehicles will be diverted through designated alternative routes to minimise the risk of fire, explosions, or other emergencies. The tunnel, located near Chechat, will provide uninterrupted access towards Madhya Pradesh via the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
Most of the route through Madhya Pradesh is already operational, with only a few sections towards Vadodara still under construction.
Being twin-tube, eight-lane tunnel, it is one of Rajasthan's longest and widest road tunnels. Once fully connected, motorists traveling from Kota will enjoy a continuous expressway journey through Madhya Pradesh towards Gujarat, significantly reducing travel time and improving long-distance connectivity.
The tunnel for traffic moving from Mumbai towards Delhi is opening on Monday. Construction of the second tube is progressing rapidly, and it will be opened to public traffic as soon as the remaining work is completed, said Sandeep Agarwal, Project Director, NHAI.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is good infrastructure progress, but why ban petrol and diesel vehicles? 🚛 These are the lifeblood of our logistics. Many trucks carry fuel for rural areas. Hope NHAI has proper alternative routes planned, otherwise it will just shift the problem elsewhere. Also, safety is important, but feasibility studies must be transparent.
Waah! 8-lane tunnel in Rajasthan is no small feat. 🏗️ This will cut travel time by hours. I remember driving from Mumbai to Delhi via Jaipur used to take ages. Once fully connected through MP, it'll be a smooth ride. Just hope maintenance stays top-notch like our modern expressways deserve. Hats off to NHAI!
Impressive infrastructure! As someone who travels between Delhi and Mumbai for business, this is exciting news. The mention of improving agricultural logistics for the coriander market shows this isn't just about cars, but about economic growth. However, I wonder about wildlife impact given the Dara Valley ecosystem. Hope environmental assessments were done properly 🌿
Superb! But we still need better connectivity to tier-2 cities like Kota from the expressway. 👀 Imagine if there were direct exits to these towns, not just bypasses. Also, pet peeve—why are fuel tankers banned but no mention of electric vehicle charging points? EV infra should be mandatory in new tunnels. Let's think future-ready!
Bohot achha! 🎉 Finally, the Dara Valley traffic nightmare will end. I drive that stretch often and it was a headache. This tunnel should help local commuters too, not
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