New Greenfield Highway to Ease Airport Road Traffic from September 1
Mohali: Commuters battling daily congestion on Airport Road can expect relief soon, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) prepares to open its new 31-km Greenfield Highway on September 1.
Project Highlights
- Route: Connects IT Chowk (PR-7) near Chandigarh Airport to the Kurali-Chandigarh Road, providing an alternative route for Delhi-bound traffic heading to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Cost & Progress: A ₹1,400-crore project under Bharatmala Pariyojana, currently 93% complete, with remaining work set to finish by late August.
- Earlier Delays: Originally scheduled for June, the project faced an eight-month halt in 2021 due to land acquisition disputes. Compensation was later increased fourfold, from ₹24 lakh–₹4.18 crore per acre to ₹1 crore–₹1.09 crore per acre.
Why This Matters
- Traffic Relief: Diverts heavy interstate traffic away from the congested Airport Road.
- Replacement Project: Scrapped the 40-km Kharar-Banur-Tepla plan in 2019 due to high costs.
- Contractor: A Maharashtra-based firm was assigned the work in October 2022.
With just weeks left for completion, the new highway promises smoother travel for commuters and long-distance transporters alike. 🚗💨
