Union cabinet okays 6-lane Zirakpur bypass and Chandigarh ring road
The 19.2-km-long Zirakpur bypass will provide traffic signal-free connectivity from the Chandimandir Western Command headquarters to Chandigarh Airport.
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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised that the bypass will provide significant relief from the chronic traffic congestion in Zirakpur and surrounding areas. (Representational Image)In a significant push towards decongesting one of North India’s busiest urban corridors, the Union cabinet has approved the construction of a six-lane Zirakpur bypass at an estimated cost of Rs 1,878 crore, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday during a public presentation outlining the key infrastructure priorities under the Narendra Modi government’s third term.
The minister said Zirakpur was prone to heavy traffic congestion as it was situated at the intersection of two major highways. “To resolve this challenge, a ring road-like concept has been developed connecting Chandigarh, Zirakpur, and Panchkula. The six-lane Zirakpur bypass is the first project under this concept,” he said.
Spanning approximately 19.2 km, the bypass will start at the junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and terminate at the junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) in Panchkula, Haryana. It is a strategic part of the government’s broader plan to develop a ring road network around Chandigarh, connecting Mohali, Zirakpur, and Panchkula. This project is aligned with a Punjab government master plan and is a key component of the PM Gatishakti national master plan for integrated infrastructure development.
A notable feature of the project is the inclusion of three-level interchanges at both ends, facilitating smooth transitions between highways. Additionally, the bypass will incorporate multiple culverts, vehicular overpasses, and underpasses to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. The design also stresses traffic signal-free connectivity from the Chandimandir Western Command headquarters to Chandigarh Airport.
Vaishnaw emphasised that the bypass will provide significant relief from the chronic traffic congestion in Zirakpur and surrounding areas, which are situated at the busy intersection of two national highways. The bypass is designed to divert through-traffic—especially vehicles heading towards Himachal Pradesh—from urban areas, thus improving traffic conditions and reducing pollution and travel time.
The project will be developed under the public-private partnership model using the hybrid annuity mode (HAM). Once completed, it is expected to improve connectivity between Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity, and Himachal Pradesh while easing traffic load on the congested urban stretches of NH-7, NH-5, and NH-152.
According to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the project is a major step in facilitating seamless transport and infrastructure development in line with the principles of the PM Gatishakti master plan. The government has said it is committed to reducing bottlenecks across urban agglomerations like Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, and that the Zirakpur bypass marks a crucial beginning in this direction.
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