New Delhi: Travellers between Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir will soon get major relief. The Ambala Chandigarh Greenfield Highway Project will reduce traffic jams in Chandigarh, Zirakpur, and Dera Bassi.
The project has gained strong pace. It is designed to reduce travel time and fuel use. It will also improve road connectivity in the region.
Project Background and Approval
The government approved the Ambala Chandigarh Greenfield Highway Project under the Tricity Ring Road plan in 2020–21. Authorities started land acquisition work in 2021–22.
The total highway length is about 61 km. The project connects Ambala and Chandigarh. Engineers are building it in two phases for faster execution.
Better Route for Hill and Border Travel
This highway will help travellers going to Shimla, Panchkula, and Chandigarh. They will avoid city traffic completely. Instead, they will use a smooth bypass route.
Right now, most vehicles use the Zirakpur-Dera Bassi route. It covers around 40–45 km. However, traffic congestion often delays travel by 1 to 1.5 hours.
Many drivers also choose the Banur-Rajpura route. It has less traffic but increases travel distance.
Phase 1 Progress Status
The first phase of the Ambala Chandigarh Greenfield Highway Project runs from Devinagar (Ambala) to IT City Chowk (Mohali). This stretch is about 30 km long.
Construction work on this phase has reached around 80% completion. Earlier, land issues and protests slowed progress. Now, a new land acquisition notification in Dera Bassi has improved the pace.
The government plans to finish roads, bridges, and finishing work by the end of this year.
Phase 2 Fully Open for Traffic
The second phase runs from IT City Chowk to Kurali. This section is 31.23 km long.
Authorities have already completed this stretch. They also opened it for public traffic. People now use it as the Mohali-Kurali bypass.
New Link Road to Improve Connectivity
The government approved another major upgrade in February 2026. It includes a 10.3 km six-lane link road. The budget for this road is ₹1,463.95 crore.
This link road will connect the Ambala Chandigarh Greenfield Highway Project directly with the Zirakpur bypass. It will make travel smoother and faster.
Daily Impact on Commuters
Once fully operational, the highway will benefit nearly 80,000 commuters every day. Traffic will move without signals and major jams.
Drivers will save fuel and time. Vehicle speed will also improve due to uninterrupted flow. The project will bring long-term relief to the entire region.
Key Points of the News
- The Ambala Chandigarh Greenfield Highway Project will reduce traffic congestion.
- The 61 km highway is being built in two major phases.
- Phase 2 between Mohali and Kurali is already open for traffic.
- A new 10.3 km link road will improve Zirakpur connectivity.
- Around 80,000 commuters will benefit from faster daily travel.
