Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently opened the long-awaited Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor tunnel and underpasses associated with the project. It is projected to reduce traffic congestion by approximately 1–1.5 lakh commuters. This tunnel is Delhi’s most giant urban underground six-lane tunnel, with widths ranging from 28.2 metres to 42 metres in some places. It is among the most extended “box pushed” tunnels in the world, running beneath a seven-track rail track.
Let us know more about the Pragati Maidan Tunnel:
Connectivity
The 1.36-kilometre-long tunnel has six lanes, three on each side. This transit corridor connects the ring road to India Gate through Purana Qila, going past Pragati Maidan. It will also provide immediate connectivity to Pragati Maidan’s sizeable underground parking facility.
Commuters travelling from central Delhi to east Delhi, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Noida can use the recently opened Pragati Maidan tunnel, as the authorities have extended the period for cars to use the facility by 2 hours each in the morning and evening. According to PWD authorities, vehicular traffic through the recently opened tunnel is now permitted between 6 am and 10 pm. Previously, this tunnel was accessible to traffic from 8 am until 8 pm.
Artwork
The tunnel beneath Delhi’s Pragati Maidan has the world’s most enormous outdoor mural, which depicts Indian culture. The tunnel’s walls are ornamented with national festivals, including a piece of the wall showcasing Ajmer Sharif Dargah’s culture. The Pragati Maidan tunnel includes 98,000 square metres of fresco artwork exhibiting outstanding artistic abilities. In addition, the tunnel wall is divided into six seasons. Each of which illustrates the importance of the sun and moon. They show life in India’s six seasons without a pause, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Expenditure
The corridor was developed at a budget of more than Rs 900 crore and is wholly sponsored by the Union government, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The project aims to provide easy access to the new world-class expo and conference centre constructed at Pragati Maidan so that exhibitors and visitors can easily participate in the events hosted there.
Waterlogging issue
Following PM Narendra Modi’s suggestion to organise art walks, the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) recently agreed to shut down the Pragati Madain tunnel for automobiles every Sunday and keep it open for visitors to experience the murals inside. However, rain played spoilsport for all those wishing to see the murals. The tunnel was flooded on Sunday, with barely 3-4 visitors.
What are the measures undertaken to minimise waterlogging?
According to PWD, the tunnel and underpasses feature completely automated drainage pumping systems. While developing the sumps and drainage system, the experts used rainfall data from the previous 25 years. A modern stormwater management network with wide pipes and tanks has been built.
As per the ITPO authorities, pumps with high-velocity pressure capacity have been installed to discharge collected water. Moreover, surface interventions and other design elements have also been implemented to avert floods. For this reason, high points in road geometry on Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Purana Qila Road, and Ring Road have been enhanced.
