CHANDIGARH — Judicial review of the Tricity Ring Road project saw a key development as the National Highways Authority of India unveiled a modified alignment for the Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass that preserves more than 1,900 trees.
The revised plan, placed before Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, addresses prior ecological concerns raised against large-scale tree felling. However, the alternative layout pushes expenses higher by Rs 65 crore and delays final completion.
Legal representatives for the petitioners maintained strong opposition, emphasizing that routing changes through forested patches near Pir Muchhalla would still cause substantial environmental disruption. Recognizing both the strategic significance of the link—which slashes transit times across the Zirakpur-Panchkula corridor—and environmental preservation, the court encouraged collaborative discussions.
Both sides agreed to organize technical review sessions led by domain experts, with comprehensive minutes scheduled for judicial submission on October 28.
