Nagpur: The Second Capital of Maharashtra, renowned for its infrastructural developments, is on the verge of introducing a significant addition to its transportation network. Nagpur is poised to witness the establishment of its first tunnel, an underpass road, linking Tekdi Road to the Institute of Science through Morris College Square on Wardha Road. This ambitious project has been greenlit with a financial infusion of Rs 80 crore, sanctioned by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
This landmark announcement was made by Gadkari himself during a recent event held in the city. The tunnel is earmarked to be christened in honour of the late Dattaji Didolkar, a distinguished founder member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The funding for this visionary initiative has been drawn from the Central Road Fund (CRF), underscoring the government’s commitment to alleviating Nagpur’s traffic congestion woes, particularly at the bustling Morris College Square.
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05 Aug 2025
The proposed tunnel is strategically designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance the overall flow of vehicular movement. Slated to commence before the Morris College Square on Tekdi Road and culminate prior to the Institute of Science, the tunnel’s trajectory seeks to facilitate seamless transit while reducing the reliance on surface-level intersections.
In a proactive move to expedite the project’s execution, Gadkari has enlisted the services of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Mahametro) to orchestrate both the design and construction phases. While several railway underbridges are already a part of Nagpur’s urban landscape, the introduction of a tunnel underpass road, a hitherto absent transportation feature, marks a significant development.
This trailblazing endeavour isn’t the first of its kind to be conceptualized by Gadkari. In the past, plans for tunnels at locations such as Futala Lake and Ajni railway quarters were floated, albeit without successful realization. Mahametro is already in the throes of crafting a comprehensive design for the project, thereby signalling promising progress.
The forthcoming tunnel will extend an array of conveniences to commuters, allowing direct access to the railway station, Tekdi Ganesh temple, Cotton Market, and Central Nagpur from Civil Lines. An added boon is the bypassing of the signal at Morris College Square, which is bound to expedite travel times and minimize traffic snarls.
It is noteworthy that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had previously undertaken a road development initiative, spanning from Morris College T-Point to the Institute of Science at a cost of Rs 5 crore. However, the thoroughfare, spanning 615 meters in length, has yet to witness a substantial influx of traffic, underscoring the potential impact that the proposed tunnel underpass road could wield upon the city’s transportation landscape.
