India's First 8-Lane Highway Tunnel Under a Tiger Reserve Ready to Open: How This ₹1,250 Crore Engineering Marvel Bypasses Danger Zones
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, railways)· Prelims·
Why in news
NHAI is set to open India's first 8-lane highway tunnel under a tiger reserve in Rajasthan's Kota district to facilitate safe transit through the Mukundra Hills.
Background
The 4.89-kilometer tunnel is part of the 1,386-kilometer Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. It traverses diverse geological substrates including sandstone, shale, siltstone, mudstone, and limestone, with cut-and-cover sections designed for wildlife passage.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyNHAI: National Highways Authority of India is the primary body responsible for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project.
- PlaceMukundra Hills: Located in Rajasthan's Kota district, it serves as a critical tiger habitat.
- FactThe Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a 1,386-kilometer project designed to reduce travel time to approximately 12 hours.
- FactThe tunnel length is 4.89 kilometers and is part of an 8.3-kilometer section passing through the tiger reserve.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the engineering and ecological challenges of developing large-scale infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive zones like tiger reserves in India.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Ecological fragmentation: Balancing high-speed connectivity with the need for uninterrupted wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity.
- Regulatory compliance: Adhering to forest conservation norms while meeting national infrastructure goals for logistical efficiency.
Keywords: Ecologically sensitive zones · Wildlife corridors · Infrastructure development · Geological substrates · Sustainable connectivity
More Economy notes
- NCDEX Revives Black Pepper Futures to Stabilize India's Spice Trade · 7 July 2026
- RBI Investigates ATM Cash Shortages After 12 Weeks of Complaints · 7 July 2026
- Andhra Pradesh Minister Courts Korean Giants for EV, Semiconductor Hubs · 7 July 2026
- Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves Startup Policy-2026, Data Centre Policy-2026 · 7 July 2026
- FPIs Flood Indian Financials, Inject ₹14,000 Crore in Two Weeks · 7 July 2026
- Women's Cash Transfers Boost Spending: Maharashtra Leads With ₹6,884 Gains · 7 July 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.