Mohali Airport Alternate Route Completion Pushed to March Amid Winter Setbacks
Work on the highly anticipated alternate route designed to alleviate congestion on Mohali's airport road has been extended until March, with officials attributing the delay to severe winter conditions that hampered construction activities. The project, which aims to decongest traffic leading to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, was originally slated for completion by December 2025.
Winter Weather Halts Construction Progress
Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal explained that the construction pace slowed significantly as the bitumen mix plant was forced to shut down due to intense cold weather. "The plant has resumed full operations from February 15, and construction activity has regained momentum," she stated after conducting a comprehensive review of the project's progress.
Revised Timeline and Interim Relief Plans
According to project officials, bitumen laying on one side of the dual-carriageway is expected to be completed by the second week of March, while work on the opposite side is projected to finish by month's end. Mittal confirmed that one side of the road is likely to become functional by mid-March, with authorities hopeful of opening a portion of the stretch for vehicular movement before March concludes to provide interim relief to daily commuters.
Project Specifications and Infrastructure Components
The 8.5-kilometer alternate route runs parallel to the existing airport road, connecting Bawa White House to Airport Chowk. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada) is executing this critical infrastructure project as part of a broader mobility master plan to streamline traffic flow in the rapidly developing airport corridor.
Key construction elements include:
- Two parallel bridges over a choe, with one bridge already completed and work on the second currently in progress
- A double-lane under-railway bridge (URB) that remains a pending component, with concrete box structure plans submitted to railway authorities
- Funds earmarked for immediate execution once necessary approvals are secured
Accelerated Implementation and Commuter Expectations
Gmada Chief Administrator Sakshi Sawhney revealed that nearly 90% of the work has been completed, with the project being fast-tracked according to state government directives to operationalize priority mobility corridors. She emphasized that even if the railway bridge component requires additional time, the completed stretch will be opened within the announced timeline to ensure early traffic relief for residents.
The new dual-carriageway is expected to significantly divert both private and commercial vehicles from the heavily burdened main Airport Road, ultimately improving travel time and enhancing road safety for daily commuters. Emphasizing the project's urgency, Deputy Commissioner Mittal stressed that the decongestion plan must translate into visible and tangible improvements for Mohali residents.
"Commuters have understandably high expectations, and it is our responsibility to ensure swift and effective implementation of this critical infrastructure project," she concluded, underscoring the administration's commitment to addressing the region's traffic challenges.
