Travel time same on Panchkula, Mohali detours. Map not to scale
Gaurav Kanthwal
Zirakpur, September 26
With the travel time from Tribune Chowk to Patiala light point in Zirakpur unlikely to come down from current 55 minutes to 30 minutes any time soon owing to the ongoing work on the underpass, road users are exploring alternative routes to save time and avoid inconvenience.
There are two designated alternative routes to avoid the bottleneck — one via Panchkula and the other from Mohali, but the travel time remains more or less the same.
While the Hallo Majra-Panchkula-Zirakpur road is shorter but bumpy and congested, the Airport Road detour is considerably longer for road users from the Chandigarh side. It takes almost 55 minutes from Tribune Chowk to Patiala light point in Zirakpur, an 8-km stretch, during the morning and evening rush hours.
The Tribune Chowk-Hallo Majra light point-Industrial Area, Panchkula-Patiala Chowk detour is 13.6 km long. The narrow road and vehicular rush make it a 50-minute ride.
While the longer 23-km Tribune Chowk-IISER-Airport light point-Patiala Chowk detour is a comfortable commute with a wide road and fast-moving traffic, frequent stoppages due to light points make it a 50-minute commute.
“The Tribune Chowk-Hallo Majra light point route suits commuters from the Chandigarh side, while the Airport Road is a good alternative for road users from the Mohali side. It depends on individual choice, but I do not think it makes a difference of more than 5-10 minutes,” said Ajay Bhatnagar, a supply chain professional from VIP Road.
Zirakpur resident Puneet Sharma said: “It will take one year for the PWD officials to construct the 500-metre vehicular underpass. You can well imagine the pace at which the work is going on.”
Traffic officials, too, express helplessness, saying they can only streamline traffic but it will only save five to 10 minutes. Potholes need to be filled, service lanes cleared and construction work speeded up, they say.
The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
PM Modi targets Rahul Gandhi, says after Amethi, Congress' ‘sahabzade’ will lose Wayanad seat also
Modi says some INDIA bloc leaders left Lok Sabha and moved t...
US sanctions Chinese suppliers for providing critical components of Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme
As a result of the action, all property and interests in pro...
Iraq's popular mobilization forces post hit in air strike, sources say
US official said there had been no US military activity in I...
Punjab Congress leader Tajinder Bittu joins BJP; Jaiveer Shergill wishes him luck for ‘new innings’
He was considered close to the Gandhi family
Indian student's death in US possibly linked to 'Blue Whale Challenge': Report
The 20-year-old, who will remain unnamed here in deference t...
