In a major move to curb frequent road excavations, the Delhi government has approved a pilot project for multi-utility underground ducts in Chandni Chowk. This system will house electricity, water, and gas lines in a single corridor to minimize traffic disruption.

  • Delhi government to implement multi-utility ducts to prevent frequent road excavation.
  • Pilot project to launch in Chandni Chowk (Esplanade Road and Mor Sarai Road).
  • Ducts will accommodate electricity, water, gas, and fire-hydrant networks.
  • An expert committee will oversee design, safety, and maintenance.

In a strategic move to tackle the persistent issue of repeated road excavations and subsequent traffic congestion, the Delhi Government has approved a citywide plan for multi-utility underground ducts. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the initiative aims to create common underground corridors for essential services, including electricity, water, gas, and fire-hydrant networks, thereby eliminating the need for multiple agencies to dig up the same stretch of road repeatedly.

The pilot phase of this ambitious project will focus on two critical stretches in the historic Chandni Chowk area: 310 metres of Esplanade Road and 560 metres of Mor Sarai Road. Work on these corridors is expected to commence shortly. Following a successful assessment of these pilot stretches, the government plans to scale the system across other parts of the capital based on local requirements.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the lack of coordinated underground infrastructure has long been a bottleneck for Delhi’s urban mobility. As different departments—such as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and various power discoms—operate independently, the resulting 'dig-and-repair' cycle severely damages road structural integrity and causes massive economic losses due to traffic delays.

This integrated approach is essential for transforming Delhi into a modern, sustainable metropolis with resilient infrastructure.

To ensure technical excellence, an expert technical committee will be constituted. This committee will comprise senior officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), electricity discoms, the Delhi Jal Board, and other relevant utility agencies. Their mandate will include overseeing the technical design, ensuring adequate ventilation, implementing fire safety protocols, and establishing maintenance access points.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the long-term vision behind this move, stating, "We want to create infrastructure that is safe, well-organized, and sustainable, keeping future requirements in mind. The multi-utility duct is a core part of this vision."

Historical Background

The concept of common utility corridors, often referred to as 'utilidors', is already a proven success in planned urban developments like Gujarat’s GIFT City. In such systems, multiple utility networks are housed within a single underground tunnel. Delhi's move to adopt this in Chandni Chowk follows the previous redevelopment of the market, where overhead cables were successfully shifted underground.

Did You Know?: Multi-utility tunnels can significantly reduce the long-term maintenance costs of urban infrastructure by providing easy access without surface disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services will be housed in these underground ducts?
Answer: The ducts are designed to accommodate electricity cables, water pipelines, gas lines, and fire-hydrant networks.

2. How will this project affect Delhi's traffic?
Answer: By preventing the need for repeated road digging for different services, the project will significantly minimize traffic disruptions and citizen inconvenience.