Mukundra Tunnel Opens on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, easing freight

The twin‑tube Mukundra Tunnel in Kota district of Rajasthan has been opened to traffic, marking a new operational segment of the Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway. Developed by the National Highways Authority of India, the eight‑lane tunnel is the widest road tunnel in Rajasthan and is expected to alleviate long‑standing congestion in the Dara Valley.

By providing a direct, hazard‑free route for passenger and freight vehicles, the tunnel should cut travel time between Mumbai and Delhi, lower transportation costs and improve road safety. It is also projected to boost logistics for regional industries, including the coriander market of Ramganjmandi, the Kota stone sector and other agricultural and industrial goods moving to major markets in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and beyond.

For safety, vehicles carrying flammable gases or hazardous chemicals are prohibited from using the tunnel and will be diverted to alternate routes.