Mullanpur's road to IPL glory still under construction
Punjab Kings may pray, chant mantras and do havans but it is difficult to please the demigods in the offices of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). They are hardly moved. Almost a year has passed since the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket in Mullanpur hosted IPL matches for the first time on March 23, 2024, but the road leading to the stadium is still under-construction and incomplete.
Fearing traffic jams, parking chaos and air pollution like last year, residents in and around Mullanpur have urged the GMADA officials to complete it before this year’s IPL season kicks off here on April 5. The matches are slated on April 5, 8, 15 and 20.
Locals said GMADA’s construction work at PR-4 road in Mullanpur, connecting international stadium with Punjab and Chandigarh is moving at a snail’s pace with frequent halts for months on.
GMADA has missed many deadlines to complete the four laning of road to the stadium. As a result, spectators coming from Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ropar via Kurali - Siswan road through Majri to reach new International Cricket Stadium at Mullanpur will face difficulties, ultimately creating chaos in the entire area.
“A single road is being used as a stop gap arrangement on Dhanas-Boothgarh stretch leading to traffic jams on daily basis. The road is full of dirt and slush. The work which was to be completed 15 years ago is pending because of GMADA’s lethargy. This year, too, same chaos is going to be there if the authorities not do something immediately,” said Mandeep Singla, a Mullanpur resident.
The bridge near Ranimajra is still nearing completion, but a pain for road users. Pradeep Gupta, Omaxe resident, said, “GMADA has not opened one side of the VR-6 road despite repeated requests. Accidents take place here regularly.”
“Last year GMADA Chief Administrator had filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the upcoming bridge on a seasonal rivulet near Omaxe will be ready by February 28, 2025, but that bridge is incomplete yet,” said a village resident. Road users here said the traffic situation has not improved here at all. Meanwhile, the GMADA officials said patchwork was going on in and around the stadium.
