ZIRAKPUR, Aug 1 — In a long-awaited move that promises relief from chronic traffic snarls in Zirakpur and adjoining areas, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted environmental clearance for a six-lane bypass aimed at rerouting Himachal-bound and intercity traffic away from the congested town.
The 19.2-kilometre bypass will begin at the Patiala-Zirakpur light point on National Highway 7 and end at the old Panchkula light point on National Highway 5. The project is designed to divert Shimla-bound vehicles, as well as traffic heading from Shimla to Ambala or Delhi, completely bypassing the existing Zirakpur choke point.
“This alternative route will significantly decongest traffic at the NH-5 and NH-7 intersection in Zirakpur, which has long struggled with excessive load due to regional urban expansion,” said an official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Apart from easing northbound traffic, the new corridor will offer a seamless link from Panchkula to the Mohali international airport, bypassing Chandigarh city. This is expected to reduce vehicle load on key Chandigarh arteries such as Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg.
The Chandigarh Master Plan has long advocated for such a bypass to channel inter-state traffic away from city roads and improve intra-city movement.
Initially launched in 2013, the project faced a major hurdle in February 2014 when local landowners approached the court seeking enhanced compensation, stalling further progress. However, it was revived in November last year during a Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) meeting, where rising traffic volumes in the Tricity region—particularly due to expansion in Mohali, Zirakpur, and Panchkula—were cited as critical justification.
The NHAI has since floated tenders for the ₹1,900-crore project, with bidding scheduled to begin on August 19.
“We have received the necessary environmental clearance and have floated the tenders. If all goes according to plan, construction will begin by the end of this year and be completed within two years,” the NHAI official added.