Fate of Airport Road in high-level panel’s hands

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 21

To decide the fate of Airport Road, GMADA has proposed a high-powered four-member technical committee.

Members recommended for the panel include the Technical Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister, Chief Engineer, National Highway, PWD B&R, Principal Secretary, head, Flexible Pavement Division, and Chief Engineer, GMADA.

The authority today sent the proposal to Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for approval.

Admitting that the issue was serious, the GMADA authorities said on getting a nod, the committee would decide the next course of action. Also, a report from New Delhi-based Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) is awaited.

GMADA has already closed the entire 6-km stretch of Airport Road from Airport Chowk to Landran-Banur Road T-Point following three fatal accidents. The stretch is in a pathetic condition and also said to be beyond repairs.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Ravi Bhagat, Chief Administrator, GMADA, said, “Now, we will not take any step or carry out the repair work on the road on our own. The CRRI has already been roped in and we have called for a high-powered technical committee. Every step in this regard will be taken as per the guidelines and directions of experts,” said Bhagat.

CRRI collects fresh samples

A team of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) collected fresh samples from various spots, including TDI City, Aero City and Zirakpur-Ambala stretch of the Airport Road on Thursday. According to the GMADA authorities, the CRRI will give its preliminary report and recommendations, if any, within eight to 10 days and the final report by mid-October. GMADA has roped in the CRRI to prepare a detailed report on faults and substandard material, if used, during the construction of the road, by paying an amount of Rs 25 lakh as its (CRRI) fee. The report submitted by the CRRI earlier was termed ‘unacceptable’ by the authorities. They had then asked the institute to go in for a re-check as the CRRI had found everything up to the mark saying heavy traffic on the road was the main issue.