Congestion on Delhi National Highway to Persist as Singhpura Overpass Fails to Meet Deadline
Mohali: Travellers traversing the Chandigarh-Delhi national highway shall endure persistent traffic impediments for the foreseeable future, as authorities have failed to meet the deadline for the completion of a flyover near the Singhpura junction.
As per sources from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), progress on the flyover has been halted pending approval from the Mohali traffic police to finalise the concluding phase of the project.
However, insiders within the Mohali traffic police contend that the ongoing farmer agitation has delayed the process of operationalizing the flyover.
Authorities elucidated that two flyovers, estimated at a combined cost of Rs 43.28 crore, are under construction—one over the Ghaggar River and the other near the Singhpura junction. While the stipulated 18-month deadline for both projects lapsed in November 2023, only one side of the Ghaggar River flyover has been rendered operational thus far. In December of the previous year, the Deputy Commissioner of Mohali inspected the site and rebuked officials for the delay, instructing them to conclude construction by January 31. However, progress has stagnated over the past two months.
“A significant segment of the Zirakpur-Chandigarh national highway remains inaccessible due to the flyover construction. Only two service lanes are accommodating traffic, leading to congestion,” disclosed a source.
“The project was already running behind schedule, prompting the former Deputy Commissioner to convene a meeting and reprimand officials. Following that, there was a flurry of activity. Presently, the project manager asserts that most of the work is complete, but final approval from the traffic police is pending,” added the sources.
Offering insight into the matter, project manager Vivek affirmed that the majority of the work has been executed and the remaining tasks will conclude imminently.
“We have not encountered any delays on our part; however, we are awaiting clearance from the traffic police,” he stated.
