Zirakpur bypass step closer to reality, NHAI invites bids

Conceived 11 years ago, the much-awaited Zirakpur bypass will finally see the light of day with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) inviting bids for the construction of a six-lane bypass. The bids will be opened on December 3. The project, likely to cost nearly Rs 1,329 crore, will provide an alternative route to commuters going to Shimla from Ambala side.

During a recent meeting of the 23-member Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA), chaired by UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the NHAI gave a presentation on the project.

The NHAI stated that a plan had been prepared to construct a bypass connecting Zirakpur and Panchkula. The route will provide a direct connection to traffic heading to Himachal Pradesh, thus reducing congestion in the tricity area. Moreover, the bypass is strategically important as it will offer a signal-free connectivity from the Chandimandir Western Command Headquarters to the Chandigarh airport.

The proposed bypass will span nearly 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana. It will start from the Patiala-Zirakpur traffic lights and end at the old Panchkula light point on the Zirakpur-Parwanoo road. It will cross the McDonald’s outlet on the Ambala-Zirakpur highway, pass through Peer Muchhalla, Sanoli, Gazipur, Nagla and Punchkula before merging with the Zirakpur-Parwanoo road.

An official said the project, a part of the ring road to be developed around Chandigarh, would remove traffic bottlenecks from several places in Zirakpur and Chandigarh, including the Zirakpur-Patiala light point, Big Bazar traffic lights, K Area crossing and the Airport Road traffic lights.

To further reduce travel time for Himachal Pradesh residents coming to the PGI, the NHAI is all set to construct a four-lane road from Majri Chowk in Mullanpur to Baddi via Siswan. This 18-km stretch is also part of the ring road to be constructed around Chandigarh. At present, motorists have to take a single road from Baddi to New Chandigarh to reach the PGI.

During the meeting, the NHAI had highlighted that the rapid development of Mohali, Zirakpur and Panchkula had increased traffic in the area. Further, Dera Bassi, Kharar, Morinda, New Chandigarh and Pinjore towns had also developed as suburbs. To decongest the traffic, the NHAI has prepared a plan for the development of the ring road around the tricity area. He said six projects were under the execution stage, while the DPR of one project was being prepared.

To span 19.2 km in Punjab, Haryana

The proposed bypass will span 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana. It will start from the Patiala-Zirakpur traffic lights and end at the old Panchkula light point on the Zirakpur-Parwanoon road. It will cross the McDonald’s outlet on the Ambala-Zirakpur highway, pass through Peer Muchalla, Sanoli, Gazipur, Nagla and Punchkula before merging with the Zirakpur-Parwanoo road.