Controversy over Mohali's proposed airport access route widening

18 Oct 2023 CW Team

The Mohali administration has introduced a new complication in the plan to create a shorter route to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. Instead of the initially proposed shorter route starting from the Sector 47/48 intersection on the Chandigarh-Mohali border, they suggest widening the existing Jagatpura road.

This suggestion comes despite Punjab governor-cum-UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit having granted preliminary approval for the shorter route. Currently, commuters must travel to the T-junction near the Indian School of Business, passing Bawa White House, and then turn left towards Airport Chowk before another left towards the airport.

In response to Mohali's proposal, the UT administration vehemently opposes it. They argue that the Jagatpura road is too narrow, making widening difficult. Additionally, ensuring the safety of people traveling to the airport is paramount and cannot be compromised. Therefore, they refuse to endorse this proposal. A senior UT officer emphasised that they have been working for over two years to find a shorter route and cannot accept a plan that endangers airport travellers.

Mohali's deputy commissioner, Aashika Jain, countered these concerns by stating that the estimated cost for widening the Jagatpura road is approximately Rs 11 million. Furthermore, she clarified that the Indian Airforce has no objections to this road as it is at a considerable distance from the airport boundary. Jain also confirmed that the necessary paperwork, including an affidavit for the road, would be submitted to the Punjab and Haryana high court. If implemented, this new route would reduce the distance to the airport from the main road (Sector 48) to just 3 km.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..