Airport road extension to New Chandigarh resumed, GMADA sets deadline of May 2024

Commuters from Mohali and Kalar in Punjab will no longer have to pass through Chandigarh A 9-km-long bypass road to New Chandigarh, part of the Airport Road (PR7) extension project, is expected to be completed by May 2024.

This section starts from Kharar Sunny Enclave 120/125 Sector Boundary Road and ends at PR4 Road in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), shortening the distance between the two towns by about 5 kilometers and also easing the traffic pressure in Chandigarh.

Additionally, passengers flying to and from New Chandigarh will be able to avoid commuting via Chandigarh. Commuters from Ambala and Delhi will further reduce traffic congestion in Chandigarh and they can also travel directly to Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. Although the original deadline was May 2021, the Rs 150-crore project is now three years behind schedule.

As per the plan, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) acquired around 120 acres of land in Jandpur, Hasanpur, Bahawalpur, Ranai Majra and Saini Majra villages, but it hit a stumbling block in Palheri village where the landowner approached the court challenging the proposed compensation.

In January 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) lifted the stay on construction near Palheri village, prompting the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to resume construction on this stretch. However, the department is yet to acquire 30 meters of forest land near Thaska village. On February 6, 2024, a meeting was held to discuss the matter.

“We are trying our best to launch this 9-km stretch in the next three months and have started construction near Palheri village. We have also requested the forest department to allow us to carry out construction within the 30m area they have. After the documents have been moved online , we have received a positive response. This 9-km-long road will serve as a bypass from Chandigarh and reduce the travel time of commuters to New Chandigarh,” Gurjit Singh, Executive Engineer (XEN), GMADA Singh said.

In May 2023, GMADA Chief Administrative Officer Rajiv Kumar Gupta assessed the ground situation of PR 4 road construction and PR 7 road extension and directed the officials in charge to ensure that the works are completed on time. Gupta inspected the project site on May 26, 2023 and noted that roads are crucial to improving existing connectivity in the area.