The four-laning of Zirakpur-Kalka highway would take another nine months to complete. The project was supposed to be completed by the end of this year,but the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has extended the deadline to April 2011. The delay in the approximately 29-km long highway has been attributed to a few factors that have posed as roadblocks in achieving the previous deadline of December 2010. Senior officials say the railway overbridge (ROB) being constructed on the tracks near Dhakoli has been a major obstacle. A few clearances pertaining to the ROB are pending for long with the railway authorities. If the nod is given on time,we will definitely open the entire stretch by April, said a senior NHAI official. Another reason for delay is the demand of two additional flyovers by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA): one opposite HMT and the other near Burjkotia,as it is developing the Kalka-Pinjore Urban Complex. HUDA wants us to construct two flyovers,but we are awaiting approval of budget for the same. We are ready with the plan,but cannot go ahead until the estimate is finalised, the official said. The delay also means that the diversion from near Dhakoli railway line towards Zirakpur from Panchkula would continue till April 2011. For a long time now,the NHAI has also been facing delay in possession of forestland from the Himachal Pradesh government for the Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass. We need to acquire forestland near Parwanoo,but the state government is taking unusually long, said the official. The bypass is eagerly looked forward to as it would ease traffic on the crowded Kalka marketplace. The 11-kilometre bypass starts from near Mallah Road and would join the national highway near Timber trail in Parwanoo. Officials informed that to ensure free flow of traffic,the bypass would have five underpasses. However,there is still good news for commuters as the NHAI is all set to complete the 17-kilometre stretch,starting from Zirakpur to the ROB,and then from Dhakoli to Pinjore by August 31. There would not be any diversions and the stretch would ensure free flow of traffic starting from September 1, the official added.
