Tunnel to ease intra-IGI traffic

NEW DELHI: A new 1.3-km long tunnel link connecting the Palam-Dwarka roundabout near the domestic airport with the new Terminal T3 will be thrown open to traffic on November 14. The first of its kind for the city, the tunnel road running under the airport runway, will drastically cut down travel time between the two terminals, besides making travel to T3 from west and southwest Delhi much smoother.
The tunnel, constructed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, starts with a ramp right after the roundabout, where an underpass is also presently being constructed.This will take vehicles right into the premises of the new airport terminal T3. At present, those wanting to commute between the two points have to exit onto the main National Highway-8 and take the exit for IGI. The road distance between the two points is about 5km, with the travel time extending to more than half an hour during peak hours. With the opening of the new tunnel road, motorists will be able to travel from one terminal to another in 5 minutes flat. Traffic police officials said the new road is also expected to decongest NH-8, providing relief to scores of commuters using the busy artery to enter Delhi.
The main road in the tunnel will be six-laned with a diving central verge and it has also been provided with a pedestrian walkway. The entire length of the tunnel is being fitted with eight CCTV cameras for added security. Airport operator DIAL will use the cameras to monitor movement of vehicles in the underground road. The stretch, which connects to a Northern Access Road being constructed by DIAL near T3, is expected to be used by about 3,000 vehicles every hour as soon as it opens. The traffic volumes are estimated to swell to about 4,267 vehicles in 2016, 6,183 vehicles in 2021 and 7,204 vehicles in 2026.
Of the 1.3 km road, a tunnel measuring about 371 metres has been constructed using the open cut and cover technique.
"To construct the main tunnel, the sides diaphragm walls were first created and then the top and bottom slabs of the tunnel were cast. The cavity was dug open from the top since the depth of the road tunnel is not as much as underground Metro tunnels. The load of the road was also less, making it simpler to construct,'' said a DMRC official. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 109 crore.