**Summary:**
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) commenced a trial run of underpasses on the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway on May 29, 2025, from 12:00 to 15:00 hours daily. This trial aims to decongest the Delhi-Gurugram section of NH-48. The underpasses include a shallow tunnel connecting Dwarka Yashobhumi to the airport and facilitate travel towards Gurugram (Sirhaul). The trial period allows NHAI to assess traffic patterns, safety measures, and infrastructure efficiency. The tunnel has a height restriction of 4.5 meters, and certain vehicles (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and vehicles carrying flammable materials) are prohibited. Full operation is expected from June 5, 2025. The underpasses will provide alternate connectivity to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and improve connectivity between Delhi, Gurugram, and northern cities, streamlining traffic flow between key areas and enhancing connectivity with other corridors in Delhi-NCR.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport Highways: Government ministry responsible for road transport and highways.
NHAI: National Highways Authority of India, the agency conducting the trial run.
Dwarka Expressway: Location of the underpasses being tested.
Delhi Gurugram section of NH 48: The specific section of National Highway 48 that the project aims to decongest.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - the source of the information.
Delhi NCR: National Capital Region, the area that will benefit from reduced congestion.
Dwarka Yashobhumi: A location connected to the airport via the shallow tunnel.
Airport Underpasses: The underpasses connecting Dwarka Yashobhumi to the airport.
Gurugram: A city connected to Delhi via the underpasses and Dwarka Expressway.
Sirhaul: A location accessible from Dwarka Yashobhumi through the Shallow Tunnel Right Turn Underpass.
Terminal 3: A terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport, connected to Gurugram via underpasses.
Indira Gandhi International IGI Airport: An international airport connected to Dwarka Expressway via the underpasses.
Vasant Kunj: A key area connected by the streamlined traffic flow.
Dwarka: A key area connected by the streamlined traffic flow.
Alipur: A key area connected by the streamlined traffic flow.
Faridabad: A city with traffic moving towards northern destinations.
Manesar: A city with traffic moving towards northern destinations.
Sonipat: A northern destination accessible from Gurugram, Faridabad and Manesar.
Panipat: A northern destination accessible from Gurugram, Faridabad and Manesar.
Chandigarh: A northern destination accessible from Gurugram, Faridabad and Manesar.
29 May 2025: Start date of the trial run.
5 June 2025: Likely date of full operation of the tunnel.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI Starts Trial Run of Underpasses on Dwarka
Expressway to Decongest Delhi – Gurugram Section
of NH 48
Posted On: 28 MAY 2025 6:55PM by PIB Delhi
To enhance traffic flow and decongest Delhi - Gurugram section of NH48, NHAI has begun trial run of the
th
tunnel and underpasses on the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway starting 29 May 2025 from 12:00 hours
to 15:00 hours every day. The trials run mark a significant step toward enhancing mobility and reducing
congestion in Delhi NCR. The underpasses opened for the trial run will include a Shallow Tunnel connecting
Dwarka / Yashobhumi to Airport through Airport Underpasses & vice versa. Further, users can also ply
towards Gurugram (towards Sirhaul) from Dwarka / Yashobhumi through Shallow Tunnel & Right Turn
Underpass. Moreover, a combination of airport Underpasses along with Right turn underpass can be used
from Terminal 3 to Gurugram (towards Sirhaul).
The trial period will help NHAI to monitor and evaluate traffic patterns, safety measures, and infrastructure
efficiency to ensure seamless integration into the city’s transport network. The tunnel will have a height
restriction of vehicles upto 4.5 meters and slow-moving vehicles like two wheelers, three wheelers & vehicles
carrying flammable materials like the Oil tankers will not be allowed inside the tunnel and underpasses. The
th
tunnel is likely to be fully operational from 5 June 2025.
The tunnel has been built using advanced engineering and safety features. It is equipped with CCTV
surveillance, a dedicated control room, and emergency exits to ensure commuter safety and efficiency.
The tunnel’s strategic location and layout will benefit large number of daily commuters and reduce the burden
on surface roads and reduce congestion by connecting Dwarka Expressway to the Indira Gandhi International
(IGI) Airport.
Once operational, the underpasses shall provide alternate connectivity to IGI Airport through the shallow
tunnel, improving connectivity between Delhi, Gurugram, and northern cities. It will help to streamline traffic
flow between key areas such as Gurugram, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Alipur as well as enhance connectivity with
other corridors in & around Delhi-NCR to facilitate seamless movement of traffic from Gurugram, Faridabad,
and Manesar towards northern destinations like Sonipat, Panipat, and Chandigarh.AIRPORT UNDERPASSES***
GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2132154)