Mohali opens new signal-free airport route to ease Airport Road traffic

Airport-bound commuters in Mohali now have access to a newly constructed signal-free alternate road, with about 4.5 km of the corridor opening to traffic.

The new route runs parallel to the existing Airport Road and begins near Bawa White House in Phase XI before connecting to the flyover leading towards the airport turn.

The road has gained importance after farmers occupied one side of the Jagatpura-Chandigarh road during a week-long agitation. Traffic continues on the remaining carriageway, while the newly opened route provides another option for passengers travelling towards Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport.

The new stretch provides about 4.5 km of uninterrupted, signal-free movement. Officials expect it to reduce travel time and provide a more predictable journey, particularly during peak hours.

The opened section forms part of an 8.5-km alternate corridor being developed parallel to the existing Airport Road to strengthen connectivity to the airport.

Officials believe the new link will help distribute traffic more evenly and reduce pressure on one of Mohali’s busiest corridors.

The project is around 95 per cent complete, according to GMADA chief engineer Ajay Garg. The remaining work involves laying bitumen on a second bridge over a seasonal rivulet and is expected to be completed within 10 days.

“The bridge structure is complete and only surfacing work remains. After conducting necessary trials, we decided to open one carriageway for traffic,” Garg said.

The project had missed several completion deadlines, including those in April, May, July and August, following which GMADA penalised the contractor.

Despite the delays, the partial opening of the alternate corridor now gives motorists an additional approach towards the airport at a time when traffic conditions on existing routes have been affected by the ongoing farmers’ protest.

The full corridor is expected to provide a parallel connection to Airport Road once the remaining work is completed.