Mohali: GMADA Starts Building Shortcut Route to Airport

01 Jul 2024

To alleviate congestion on the Airport Road, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) began work to build a new, shorter route to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. This new route will extend from the Sector junction 65-66 (Bawa White House) to Sector 66-B, aiming to reduce the distance from Chandigarh to the airport by approximately 3.5 km and thereby decrease travel time. Currently, commuters from Chandigarh must travel to the T-junction near the Indian School of Business, pass Bawa White House, turn left towards Airport Chowk, and then make another left turn towards the airport.

On July 10, GMADA awarded the construction tender for this 3.360 km road, which includes a bridge of around 180 meters over the N-choe, to ASE Builder of Bathinda. The company has been instructed to complete the project by October 9, 2025, with an estimated construction cost of Rs 620.65 million, covering civil, public health, and electrical works.

The approved Master Plan of SAS Nagar includes a four-lane road with a 33 ft main carriageway on each side, connecting Sector junction 65-66 (Bawa White House) to Sector 66-B. This road will provide an alternative route, linking Mohali and Chandigarh directly to the international airport.

PR-7 road, commonly referred to as Airport Road, connects Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport to Mohali and Chandigarh. It is the sole route for traffic coming from Punjab and Haryana to reach the international airport in Mohali.

Currently, PR-7 road suffers from congestion due to its connections with Zirakpur, Ambala, Aerocity, and IT City. It also accommodates much of the traffic coming from Delhi and Haryana along GT Road, heading towards Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and vice versa.

Additionally, PR-7 serves as a crucial link between Mohali and Zirakpur, as well as New Chandigarh, Baddi, and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh.

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