Nearly 95% of the construction work on the 34.6-km-long six-lane Greenfield Eastern Bypass and the third phase of the Western Bypass in Karnal has been completed. The project, developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, is estimated to cost around Rs 1,700 crore including land acquisition.
Project Route and Components
The bypass begins from National Highway-44 near Shamgarh village and ends at the Karnal-Munak road near Samalkha village. It consists of two major components: the Greenfield Eastern Bypass from Shamgarh to Bastara Toll Plaza and the third phase of the Western Bypass from Bastara Toll Plaza to Samalkha village near Munak Road. The six-lane corridor passes through 21 villages, including Dadupur, Jhanjhari, Kurali, Darar, Salaru, Taprana, Danialpur, Newal, Kunjpura, Subri, Chhapra Khera, Sohana, Sheikhpura, Ranwar, Ganjogarhi, Kutail, Unchasamana, Kharkali, Jhinwerheri and Bijna.
Infrastructure and Remaining Work
The project includes six flyovers, one railway overbridge (ROB), two vehicular underpasses, 14 light vehicular underpasses, nine small vehicular underpasses, three major bridges over the Western Yamuna Canal, Augmentation Canal and Indri Escape, and nine minor bridges. Most structures are complete, except a vehicular underpass near Kutail village. A 1.5 km stretch near Kutail is under construction, with ramps and connecting roads pending. Additionally, a proposal for service and connecting roads parallel to the Eastern Bypass between Meerut Road and Rasulpur village has been sent to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department for land acquisition cost approval, according to an NHAI official.
Timeline and Delays
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone on June 20, 2023. The initial target was August 2025, but delays from Graded Response Action Plan restrictions and farmers’ agitations extended the deadline. Officials now expect completion by September 2026. “The construction agency has been asked to complete the work before the deadline. Once completed, this project will provide seamless movement of vehicles around Karnal, reduce travel time, and strengthen the district’s road infrastructure network,” said Dr Anand Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Karnal.
Impact on Traffic and Connectivity
Residents anticipate significant benefits. Dushyant Malik, a local resident, said the bypass would reduce the burden on NH-44 within the city and on state highways connected to it. The project aims to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in Karnal.
