Tunnel from PM's house to airport

New Delhi: To prevent traffic snarls caused by VIP movement, the government is planning to build an underground tunnel from the prime minister's residence at 7, Race Course Road to the nearby Safdarjung airport, it is reliably learnt.
The PM often takes a helicopter from this airport to reach places in and around Delhi as well as to go to the IGI airport to catch a flight. His short movement -- via Kemal Ataturk Road, Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg-- causes traffic to be held up.
The tunnel, said sources, is meant for use as an emergency exit, but may also be used for the PM to reach Safdarjung and minimise inconvenience caused to motorists. The entire plan is being conceived and implemented by the PM's security wing.
While PM's residence -- a complex of three bungalows, collectively known as 7, RCR -- and Safdarjung airport are about 3km apart, the PM has sought to minimise traffic snarls by using choppers within the city.
A tunnel link, while enhancing his security, would cut back on traffic restrictions.
The proposed new link may even be partially underground -- from PM house to beyond Kemal Ataturk Marg -- and then an overground drive to the chopper hangar behind Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan.
30/06/10 Economic Times

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Jun 2010