Rajasthan News: The Chechat Tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has been opened for a trial run starting today. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commenced operations of Tunnel-1 for vehicles traveling towards Kota from the directions of Jhalawar and Madhya Pradesh. This trial run will continue for approximately two months. NHAI Project Director Sandeep Ahwal stated that, for the time being, vehicles traveling from Jhalawar to Kota will pass through Tunnel-1. After about 15 days, the second tunnel will also be opened for vehicles traveling from Kota to Jhalawar.
Relief from Traffic Jams
The opening of the tunnel is expected to provide significant relief from the long traffic jams that occur at the Dara Pass (Dara-ki-Naal). It is estimated that around 50% of the traffic will shift to the tunnel, thereby reducing the load on the highway.
Traffic Diversion Today
Traffic on the Kota-Jhalawar National Highway will remain diverted until midnight today due to work involving the removal of girders from the second section of the railway underpass being constructed at Dara. Priority will be given to emergency services, such as ambulances and fire brigades, during this period. Once the girder removal and track-laying work for the second section are complete, the underpass construction will reach its final stage; the underpass is likely to become operational within the next two to three months, further streamlining traffic flow in the Dara area.
Rajasthan’s Largest Tunnel
The Mukundara Tunnel is considered the longest road tunnel in Rajasthan. It has a total length of 4.9 kilometers, comprising a 3.3-kilometer main tunnel and a 1.6-kilometer ‘cut-and-cover’ section. The tunnel has a width of approximately 38 meters.
