Controversy over Mohali's proposed airport access route widening
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Controversy over Mohali's proposed airport access route widening

The Mohali administration has introduced a new complication in the plan to create a shorter route to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. Instead of the initially proposed shorter route starting from the Sector 47/48 intersection on the Chandigarh-Mohali border, they suggest widening the existing Jagatpura road.

This suggestion comes despite Punjab governor-cum-UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit having granted preliminary approval for the shorter route. Currently, commuters must travel to the T-junction near the Indian School of Business, passing Bawa White House, and then turn left towards Airport Chowk before another left towards the airport.

In response to Mohali's proposal, the UT administration vehemently opposes it. They argue that the Jagatpura road is too narrow, making widening difficult. Additionally, ensuring the safety of people traveling to the airport is paramount and cannot be compromised. Therefore, they refuse to endorse this proposal. A senior UT officer emphasised that they have been working for over two years to find a shorter route and cannot accept a plan that endangers airport travellers.

Mohali's deputy commissioner, Aashika Jain, countered these concerns by stating that the estimated cost for widening the Jagatpura road is approximately Rs 11 million. Furthermore, she clarified that the Indian Airforce has no objections to this road as it is at a considerable distance from the airport boundary. Jain also confirmed that the necessary paperwork, including an affidavit for the road, would be submitted to the Punjab and Haryana high court. If implemented, this new route would reduce the distance to the airport from the main road (Sector 48) to just 3 km.

The Mohali administration has introduced a new complication in the plan to create a shorter route to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. Instead of the initially proposed shorter route starting from the Sector 47/48 intersection on the Chandigarh-Mohali border, they suggest widening the existing Jagatpura road. This suggestion comes despite Punjab governor-cum-UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit having granted preliminary approval for the shorter route. Currently, commuters must travel to the T-junction near the Indian School of Business, passing Bawa White House, and then turn left towards Airport Chowk before another left towards the airport. In response to Mohali's proposal, the UT administration vehemently opposes it. They argue that the Jagatpura road is too narrow, making widening difficult. Additionally, ensuring the safety of people traveling to the airport is paramount and cannot be compromised. Therefore, they refuse to endorse this proposal. A senior UT officer emphasised that they have been working for over two years to find a shorter route and cannot accept a plan that endangers airport travellers. Mohali's deputy commissioner, Aashika Jain, countered these concerns by stating that the estimated cost for widening the Jagatpura road is approximately Rs 11 million. Furthermore, she clarified that the Indian Airforce has no objections to this road as it is at a considerable distance from the airport boundary. Jain also confirmed that the necessary paperwork, including an affidavit for the road, would be submitted to the Punjab and Haryana high court. If implemented, this new route would reduce the distance to the airport from the main road (Sector 48) to just 3 km.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

Next Story
Real Estate

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?