NHAI Projects in Zirakpur Halfway Beyond Deadline

The authority blames the sluggish construction on encroachments and waterlogging.

Mr. Gaurav Kanthwal

25 July, Mohali

Two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Zirakpur that are nearing their November completion dates have not yet reached the midway point. Since the NHAI started building the two underpasses on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway close to Zirakpur in July 2022, encroachments and waterlogging have slowed down the project. These under-construction underpasses have become a pain in the neck for road users who often experience protracted snarl-ups due to the almost 18-month permitted duration and Rs 43.28-crore expenditure for both projects.

According to NHAI officials, waterlogging and previous encroachments have become a serious problem along the proposed signal-free corridor between Chandigarh and Dera Bassi. "Every housing society and market next to the road drains water into the NHAI roadside drain. That much water was completely unanticipated. According to Pardeep Attri, project director for the NHAI, "Our drains are not intended to handle such a large volume of water." On days when it is raining, traffic goes slowly, taking around 20 minutes to complete the 2 km length.

Once the underpasses are finished, it is unclear how the NHAI will handle the waterlogging problem.

During the wet season, the building has slowed considerably. The drainage and service lanes have now been installed. With the slab construction being concluded, the pillars at the Bhankarpur site are completed. Seven of the eight pillars at the Singhpura project site are completed.

Officials from the administration met with NHAI representatives today due to concerns that traffic jams and snarl-ups might get out of control during the rainy season. They requested that the NHAI install an extra trench and drain alongside the 1.5 km section to temporarily drain the water. In order to permanently drain rainfall off the highway, suction pumps will be positioned here.

Amardeep Singh Rai, the Additional DGP (Traffic), is probably going to go there shortly.

Rs 43.28-cr plan to be completed by Nov

There is a budget of Rs 43.28 crore and a nearly 18-month stipulated period (till November) for the proposed signal-free corridor from Chandigarh to Dera Bassi. Construction of the two vehicular underpasses near Zirakpur started in July last year.

Project's Progress

The drainage and service lanes have now been installed. With the slab construction being concluded, the pillars at the Bhankarpur site are completed. Seven of the eight pillars at the Singhpura location are completed.