The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur Bypass spanning 19.2 km across Punjab and Haryana. The Rs 18.7 billion project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode under the National Highways (O) programme, as part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Key Connector for Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh The bypass will start from the NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) junction and end at NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo), aligning with the Punjab Government’s master plan. It will effectively bypass the heavily congested urban areas of Zirakpur in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana, improving mobility for commuters and freight alike. The project aims to decongest traffic in Zirakpur, Panchkula, and surrounding regions by offering direct, uninterrupted connectivity for traffic coming from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity, and heading toward Himachal Pradesh. Decongestion Strategy for the Tricity Region Part of a larger initiative to decongest the Chandigarh–Panchkula–Mohali urban agglomeration, the Zirakpur Bypass is a critical element in forming a ring road network around the region. It will significantly reduce travel time, ease vehicular pressure on NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152, and enhance connectivity across states. Driving Forward Infrastructure with Sustainability This strategic bypass supports integrated transport infrastructure as envisaged in PM Gati Shakti, promising smoother logistics, lower emissions through reduced traffic idling, and economic gains via improved regional connectivity.