Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced that the Centre had given a green signal to infrastructure projects worth Rs 24,000 crore, aimed at easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution in the capital and its surrounding areas. Among the key developments is a five-kilometre tunnel connecting Shiv Murti–Mahipalpur on the Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj. The tunnel will be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and is expected to cost around Rs 3,500 crore.The project was approved during a recent meeting with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, said Gupta, quoted by PTI.She added that the tunnel will comprise two underground tubes, each with three lanes, offering a seamless, signal-free route between South Delhi and Dwarka/Gurugram. It will also be equipped with modern facilities such as electro-mechanical systems, ventilation, fire safety infrastructure, CCTV surveillance, control rooms, emergency exits, and cross-passages. The CM informed that work on these tunnels is expected to begin next year. She said the project would help decongest critical traffic choke points such as Rangpuri, Dhaula Kuan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, and National Highway 48 (NH-48).The tunnel will serve as a vital link between Central and East Delhi and major national highways and expressways, including the Delhi Expressway (NE-5), NH-44, NH-10, the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-48), and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B), via the Urban Extension Road and Dwarka Expressway. Gupta said that this project is the “foundation for the Delhi of the future,” and will give the infrastructure in the capital, a new direction, offering relief to millions.