Farmers end stir, Mohali-Kurali expressway to open on December 15

Farmers today lifted their indefinite dharna at the toll plaza on the nearly complete 31.23-km Mohali-Kurali greenfield expressway after reaching a mutual understanding with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), clearing the way for the stalled Rs 1,525.3-crore project to resume finishing work and open for public use on December 15.

The protest, which began on November 24 at Bajheri village near Randhawa Road, had led to blocking of the expressway just days before its scheduled opening. Villagers and farmer union members had been demanding an entry/ exit at chainage 19 300, adjacent to the toll plaza.

Following a joint site visit by the NHAI, the contractor and the authority engineer, it was clarified — both on site and in an official communication — that such an access point was not feasible on an access-controlled greenfield highway, as it would compromise safety and cause traffic slippage during toll operations. However, in the resolution communicated in writing, the NHAI agreed to review the villagers’ alternative demand for a service-road connection linking km 17.000-17.700 (LHS) with km 18.300-18.700 (LHS), enabling local access to the already available entry/ exit at km 17 100. The proposal will be placed before the competent authority for approval, with work expected to start within 8-12 weeks after sanction. The understanding prompted the protesters to withdraw.

Confirming the withdrawal, Ranbir Singh Grewal, press secretary, BKU (Lakhowal), told The Tribune that the villagers and unions were “happy that their genuine and legitimate demand has been met” and had, therefore, “called off the dharna and allowed the NHAI to complete and open the expressway”.

With the dharna lifted, the NHAI and its contractor have restarted final works on the corridor. The shifting of the BBMB high-tension lines, the last major technical hurdle, has already been completed.

The 31.23-km stretch — Package-2 of the Rs 3,166.96-crore, 61.23-km six-lane Chandigarh-Ambala corridor — is the leg connecting IT City Chowk in Mohali to Kurali via the Kurali-Siswan road. The expressway, spanning 215 hectares, is designed to decongest Mohali, Kharar and Kurali, ease pressure on the Mohali Airport Road and streamline movement between Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, HP and J&K.

Its counterpart, the 30-km Package-1 from Ambala–Hisar Road to IT City, is 75% complete and targeted for launch by May next year. Together, the two packages constitute one of the region’s biggest highway projects and a central leg of the Tricity’s emerging ring-road network.

Why resolution matters

Clears stalled expressway after 12-day blockade

Allows NHAI and contractor to resume final works

Ensures opening of key regional link by Dec 15

Prevents delay in the larger Chd–Ambala 6-lane corridor

Restores momentum on the broader Tricity ring-road network