Ludhiana-Chandigarh Highway Nears Completion After Years of Delays
The long-awaited completion of the Ludhiana-Chandigarh National Highway project is finally in sight, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announcing that remaining stretches should be finished by June this year. This comes after repeated delays that have plagued the project for several years, frustrating commuters and residents who rely on this crucial transportation link.
Land Acquisition Issues Caused Major Bottlenecks
According to NHAI officials, the incomplete portions measuring approximately 1.2 to 1.3 kilometres are located at Khant and Jatana Uncha in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Construction at these sites has been stalled since 2020 due to pending land possession issues where structures needed demolition. Project director Aashim Bansal confirmed that work is currently progressing at both locations and should reach completion by June if land acquisition problems are resolved promptly.
A critical missing 20-metre plot has prevented construction of the service road, according to an unnamed NHAI official who spoke about the challenges. The official expressed optimism that the land would be obtained within one to two months, with ongoing efforts to resolve the issue. This small but crucial piece of land has created a significant bottleneck in the overall project completion.
Construction Details and Recent Developments
NHAI is currently constructing 250 to 300 metres of approach roads at each of the two incomplete sites. Additionally, two underpasses, each 12 metres wide, are being built to facilitate smoother traffic flow. Earlier this year, the central government approved construction of flyovers at both locations with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 27 crore, demonstrating continued commitment to the project's completion.
A recent site visit revealed that structures at Khant Manpur and Jatana Uncha have been demolished and work is ongoing, though the number of laborers present appeared limited. This suggests that while progress is being made, the pace of construction remains constrained by various factors including workforce availability.
Additional Challenges and Commuter Concerns
Beyond the two main incomplete stretches, another issue persists near Sanghol where construction of a service lane cannot proceed because the highway passes close to an archaeological structure. This proximity restricts road expansion at that particular spot, creating an additional complication for the overall project.
Meanwhile, commuters continue to express frustration as toll collection continues at two plazas—Ghulal near Samrala and Bhago Majra in Kharar—despite the highway remaining incomplete at crucial points. Many travelers consider it unreasonable to pay toll fees for a highway that isn't fully functional.
Advocate Gagandeep Sharma from Samrala highlighted the unfairness of toll collection while construction remains unfinished, noting that the incomplete patches are particularly accident-prone and need urgent completion. Local resident Amarjit Kaur emphasized the highway's vital role in connecting two major cities, serving businessmen, professionals, students, farmers, and daily commuters who rely on this route.
Project Background and Historical Context
The Ludhiana-Chandigarh highway project began in March 2017 with an original completion target of September 2019, but has experienced multiple delays over the years. Before 2016, the highway reportedly functioned as a two-lane road, highlighting the significant upgrade represented by the current project.
The 76-kilometre Kharar-Ludhiana project involves six-laning of 54 kilometres and four-laning of 22 kilometres of national highway. By 2020, NHAI had already completed more than 74 kilometres of the total distance, making the remaining stretches particularly conspicuous in their incompletion.
The comprehensive project includes:
- Two major bridges and six minor bridges
- Eight flyovers and six vehicular underpasses
- Ten pedestrian underpasses and 126 culverts
- 46 kilometres of service lanes
- Nine major junctions and 253 minor junctions
- An 8-kilometre Samrala bypass
The highway route begins at Kharar town, passes through Morinda bypass, Khamano, the proposed Samrala bypass, and ends in Ludhiana, serving as a critical transportation artery for the region.
Pandemic and Protest Disruptions
The project faced significant disruptions from both protests and COVID-19 lockdown measures. In 2019, villagers from Bondli staged a dharna for over 110 days, demanding a bridge near the Samrala bypass. NHAI officials confirmed that pandemic-related lockdowns caused labor shortages that further contributed to project delays, compounding the existing land acquisition challenges.
As NHAI works to resolve the final obstacles, all eyes remain on the June completion target, with commuters and residents hopeful that this vital infrastructure project will finally reach its long-awaited conclusion after years of anticipation and frustration.
