MOHALI, Aug 3 –For commuters on Mohali’s bustling Airport Road, the district administration has imposed time-bound entry restrictions on heavy vehicles from August 4, aiming to ease rush-hour congestion and reduce accident risks.
According to the new order, heavy vehicles such as construction carriers and multi-axle trucks will not be allowed on the stretch between 8 am–11 am and 5 pm–8 pm — peak hours for office traffic. The 18-km, 200-foot-wide road connects Sunny Enclave, Kharar to Chhat light points in Zirakpur, passing through key hubs like Aerocity, IT City, and Mohali en route to the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport.
Emergency vehicles, as well as trucks carrying milk, water, medicines, or perishable items, will be exempted from the ban.
“This road carries the most traffic burden. The restriction is crucial for smoother traffic flow and public safety,” said Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal.
A 2022 road safety audit showed that the Airport Road witnessed 73 deaths and 176 accidents between 2017 and 2021. Slow-moving trucks during peak hours are a known hazard, often breaking down and stalling traffic, officials said.
SP (Traffic) Navneet Singh Mahal stated the focus initially would be on driver awareness. “We will begin with sensitisation. Challans will follow once awareness is in place,” he said, adding that enforcement would be aided by police personnel and CCTV monitoring.
Diversion routes have been marked, with Landran Road available for trucks coming from Chhat lights.
Traffic expert Harpreet Singh welcomed the move but called for additional measures. “Authorities should ensure truck parking and possibly revise the restriction timing to 6–9 pm, when accident rates are highest,” he said.
Backing the plan, Vivek Kapoor, CII Mohali chairman, said, “This is how Gurgaon works. No right turns, three clear lanes. But alternate roads must be improved, and pressure horns should be banned.”
