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Cabinet Approves ₹6,970 Cr Dwarka Tunnel (8.1 km, 6-lane) & ₹7,145 Cr Kanpur-Kabrai Highway

Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
01 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:8.1 km tunnel6-lane₹6,970 croreHybrid Annuity Mode5 years construction3.1 km ridge tunnel
Bodies:Union CabinetMinistry of Road Transport and Highways
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.8.1 km, six-lane tunnel on NH-148AE from Dwarka Expressway to Vasant Kunj (AIIMS link) at ₹6,970 crore under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

2.3.1 km of tunnel will pass beneath the southern ridge forest using tunnel-boring machine (TBM); environmental impact assessment completed.

3.242 km four-lane highway from Kanpur to Kabrai (Mahoba) at ₹7,145 crore under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode, part of Kanpur-Bhopal economic corridor.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Union Cabinet approved two major infrastructure projects: an 8.1 km six-lane tunnel in Delhi (₹6,970 crore) connecting Dwarka to Vasant Kunj via a ridge forest, and a 242 km four-lane highway from Kanpur to Kabrai (₹7,145 crore) in UP's Bundelkhand region. Both aim to decongest traffic and boost connectivity, using PPP models (Hybrid Annuity and BOT).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Dwarka Tunnel Length8.1 km (6-lane)
Dwarka Tunnel Cost₹6,970 crore
Construction Mode (Tunnel)Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
Ridge Tunnel Length3.1 km
Daily PCU Benefit37,000 passenger car units
Kanpur-Kabrai Highway Length242 km (4-lane)
Kanpur-Kabrai Cost₹7,145 crore
Construction Mode (Highway)Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
Travel Time ReductionFrom 3.5 hrs to 1.5 hrs
Design Speed80-100 kmph
Tunnel Construction Period5 years
Highway Construction Period2.5 years

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Dwarka Tunnel Length: 8.1 km (6-lane)
  • ›Dwarka Tunnel Cost: ₹6,970 crore
  • ›Target this Data: Dwarka tunnel length = 8.1 km; cost = ₹6,970 crore; ridge tunnel = 3.1 km; daily PCU benefit = 37,000.
  • ›Target this Data: Kanpur-Kabrai highway length = 242 km; cost = ₹7,145 crore; construction period = 2.5 years; design speed = 80-100 kmph.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is the implementing ministry; Union Cabinet gave the approval.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for the implementation of the Dwarka tunnel and Kanpur-Kabrai highway projects approved by the Union Cabinet?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the recent Cabinet approvals:

1. The Dwarka tunnel is an 8.1 km six-lane project to be built under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode.

2. A 3.1 km section of the Dwarka tunnel will pass beneath the southern ridge forest using a tunnel-boring machine.

3. The Kanpur-Kabrai highway is designed for a speed range of 80-100 kmph and will reduce travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the total cost approved by the Union Cabinet for the Dwarka tunnel project?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of constructing the Dwarka tunnel as per the news article?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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