Traffic from Mumbai to Delhi has officially started passing through the Mukundra Tunnel in Kota district, Rajasthan, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project. This tunnel, the widest in Rajasthan, aims to ease traffic congestion in the Dara Valley, providing relief to motorists. The second tunnel tube is nearing completion and is expected to be operational soon, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time for commuters and freight transport.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed this project to lower transportation costs and facilitate the movement of goods in the region. The Mukundra Tunnel’s opening signifies another milestone for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, benefiting logistics in the Hadoti region by enabling faster transportation of agricultural and industrial products to major markets. Notably, the coriander market in Ramganjmandi is anticipated to gain from improved connectivity.
The tunnel will also streamline transportation for businesses in the Kota Stone industry and other stone product sectors, enabling more efficient transport to Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and other key destinations. Heavy vehicles, which previously faced congestion in the Dara Valley due to ongoing construction and diversions, will now have a smoother journey, bypassing congested areas and enhancing traffic flow for local and long-distance travelers.
For safety measures, vehicles carrying flammable substances like diesel, petrol, LPG, CNG, or hazardous chemicals will be directed to alternative routes to avoid potential risks inside the tunnel. Situated near Chechat, the tunnel will offer uninterrupted access to Madhya Pradesh via the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. While most of the route through Madhya Pradesh is operational, some sections towards Vadodara are still under construction.
The Mukundra Tunnel, an eight-lane twin-tube structure, is among Rajasthan’s longest and widest road tunnels, promising a seamless expressway journey for motorists traveling from Kota to Gujarat through Madhya Pradesh. The first tunnel for traffic from Mumbai to Delhi is now open, with the second tube nearing completion and set to open soon for public use, as confirmed by Sandeep Agarwal, Project Director at NHAI.
