Cabinet approves Construction of 6 Lane Road Tunnel For NH-148AE connecting Dwarka Expressway (NH 248 BB) with Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj in Delhi with a Total Project Length of 8.1 Km worth Rs. 6969.67 crore on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) under NH (O) scheme

**Executive Summary** On July 1, 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the construction of an 8.1 km, 6-lane road tunnel (NH-148AE) connecting Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Delhi. The project, valued at Rs. 6969.67 crore, will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) to improve connectivity between West and South Delhi. It aims to reduce congestion and generate approximately 17.34 lakh person-days of total employment. **Key Points / Main Content** **Project Scope and Connectivity** * **Primary Link:** Connects Dwarka Expressway (NH 248 BB) with Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj. * **Regional Benefit:** Enhances traffic flow for commuters from Gurugram, Dwarka, West Delhi, and IGI Airport heading toward South Delhi. * **Extended Connectivity:** Integrates with a proposed NHAI elevated corridor between AIIMS and Mahipalpur, linking West and South Delhi to East Delhi, Ghaziabad, and NOIDA via the Barapullah elevated road. **Infrastructure Specifications** * **Total Length:** 8.100 km, comprising a 6.3 km main carriageway. * **Tunnel Details:** A 3.140 km twin-tube underground tunnel to be constructed using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to minimize surface disruption. * **Additional Components:** Includes 0.980 km of tunnel approach ramps, 2.556 km of elevated portions, a 1.8 km elevated road along Nelson Mandela Marg, and 0.870 km of at-grade roads. * **Traffic Management:** Features an additional flyover from Chhatarpur toward Mahipalpur and an elevated U-turn to facilitate right-turn traffic. **Environmental and Economic Impact** * **Environmental Preservation:** The 1.98 km tunnel section passes beneath the Southern Ridge Forest, preserving the forest by avoiding surface construction. * **Employment Generation:** Development is estimated to create 7.54 lakh person-days of direct employment and 9.80 lakh person-days of indirect employment. * **Economic Growth:** The high-speed corridor is expected to induce additional employment through increased economic activity in the surrounding areas. **Impact Analysis** **Commuters and Local Travelers** **Impact** Significant reduction in travel time between West Delhi, South Delhi, and Gurugram. Improved access to IGI Airport and better traffic flow at the Nelson Mandela Marg and Mahipalpur Chhatarpur Road intersection. **Action Required** Plan future travel routes to utilize the new corridor once completed to bypass current congestion points. **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)** **Impact** Responsible for the execution of the NH-148AE project under the Hybrid Annuity Mode and the development of the proposed AIIMS-Mahipalpur elevated link. **Action Required** Manage the construction process, including TBM operations and integration with existing flyovers and interchanges. **Local Workforce and Economy** **Impact** Creation of nearly 17.34 lakh total person-days of employment and stimulation of economic activity in the vicinity of the corridor. **Action Required** Stakeholders in the labor and service sectors should prepare to engage with the direct and indirect job opportunities generated by the project. **Environment and Forest Authorities** **Impact** The project design specifically protects the Southern Ridge Forest by utilizing underground tunneling. **Action Required** Monitor the construction to ensure compliance with preservation standards for the 1.98 km section passing beneath the Ridge.

Key Entities Referenced