Govt mulls tunnel to link Nizamuddin Bridge to Lodhi Colony

The Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD) is considering a proposal to build a 1.5 km tunnel to link Nizamuddin Bridge in the east to Lodhi Colony in the west.

The move is aimed at reducing travel time and preventing traffic jams at Ashram Chowk and Bhairon Marg.

According to sources, the city government has cleared the decks for appointing consultants to prepare the feasibility report of the project.

“With the construction of the tunnel near National Highway  24, the distance between Nizamuddin Bridge and Lodhi Road, which is over six kilometres at present, will be reduced to 1.5 km,” said a source.

As per the proposed project, the construction of the tunnel will be started from the ‘point’ where the Ring Road and Nizamuddin Bridge panning across Yamuna meet.

“From here, the tunnel will be linked to Lodhi Road,” he said.

Vehicular emissions
If constructed, it would also aid in protecting the world heritage site Humayun’s Tomb from vehicular emissions.

“Motorists will take to the tunnel after it is laid open for the public. The tunnel would act as a shield in blocking harmful gases to harm the national heritage structure,” the source said.
The previous government had also planned to construct a tunnel on the same spot in 2006 and 2007, he added.

“The tunnel had to be completed before the CommonWealth Games 2010. The tunnel was supposed to link CommonWealth Games Village to Ring Road,” he said.

“But the project had to be dropped as the Centre objected to it citing its proximity to the world heritage site. And its construction would harm the old structure.”

Hence, the city government is cautious about the route and has made necessary changes so that the tunnel is constructed at a safe distance from the Humayun’s Tomb, he added.

“A few months ago, the Centre had told the city government to find ways for the smooth flow of passengers as traffic snarls have become a daily ritual in Delhi. The city
government was asked to explore such alternative solutions to end the traffic woes being faced by the public,” he said.