Chandigarh, Feb 19: A new six-lane highway project worth ₹1,463.95 crore has received the green light from the Centre, promising to reduce travel time for commuters heading toward Himachal Pradesh. The greenfield spur will bypass the congested internal roads of Zirakpur and Mohali, offering a high-speed alternative for traffic moving between Ambala and the northern hill states. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari declared the investment a major step toward modernizing the region’s road network.
The Minister affirmed that the current state of regional highways necessitates an upgrade to handle the increasing inter-state movement. He maintained that the new access-controlled corridor will significantly ease the pressure on city arteries, which are currently overextended by heavy commercial vehicles. “This corridor will become a key component of the proposed Tricity Ring Road project,” Gadkari noted, adding that the goal is to make urban commuting more efficient while boosting regional links.
Authorities stated that the project will have a direct impact on the tourism industry by shortening the route to the Shimla region. By providing a “greenfield” path—meaning a brand new alignment through previously undeveloped land—the road will avoid the delays associated with widening existing, populated stretches. The Minister declared that such strategic infrastructure investments are crucial for the economic growth of Punjab and its neighboring states.
The project is also expected to enhance logistics for local industries. Officials maintained that by ensuring more predictable travel times, the new highway would lower costs for transporters and improve the supply chain for goods moving across North India. The Minister asserted that the Centre remains committed to delivering world-class road infrastructure that supports the nation’s expanding urban centers.
