New Delhi: NHAI’s tunnel project for decongesting Mahipalpur will cost 417 trees | Delhi News

Compensating the felling of 417 trees, a total of 4,170 saplings will be planted. The tunnel will pass through 5,825 hectares under the southern Ridge.

Delhi tunnel project by NHAI requires for felling of 417 trees

(Representational image | Getty images)

New Delhi: An underground tunnel of 4.3 km in length is planned to be constructed between the ShivMurti interchange on NH-48 and Nelson Mandela Marg by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This project will require the felling or transplantation of 417 trees located near Nelson Mandela Marg.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) uploaded a project report on its website stating that the total length of the project, including the approach road to the tunnel, will be 4.9 kilometres. The project is intended to alleviate traffic congestion in Mahipalpur and its neighbouring areas. “The project commences near the Shivmurti interchange (NH-48) and concludes at Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj. The primary goal of this project is to address the significant traffic congestion on NH-48, particularly between Chattarpur and Vasant Kunj, which is caused by the narrow city road. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Mahipalpur, as well as traffic flow to and from Delhi airport and the Mahipalpur and Rangpuri markets” the report said.

As per the project report, for compensating the felling of 417 trees, a total of 4,170 saplings will be planted. The tunnel will traverse 5.325 hectares beneath the Southern Ridge. For an additional 1.68 hectares of land classified as deemed forest, additional permission has been sought under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The project will also reduce travel time from Gurugram and Mahipalpur to Vasant Kunj through NH-48, as per the NHAI report. It added that the project aims to establish a shorter route, reducing travel time and mitigating traffic congestion in the aforementioned areas. Additionally, it is expected to enhance local air quality and decrease the carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle.

Delhi’s Ridge Management Board (RMB), Supreme Court and SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) have approved the project. The authorities have now sought permission from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), as per the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The proposal, which has been in development since 2022, was presented to the DPCC. The DPCC conducted a public hearing on Thursday to gather public input on the project. The suggestions and objections received will be communicated with the Union Environment Ministry, the officials said.

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