After multiple delays and months of anticipation, the much-awaited Mohali-Kharar-Kurali NH-205A Greenfield Corridor is finally set to open to the public on December 1, 2025, bringing significant relief to commuters facing daily traffic congestion on Airport Road.
Project Details and Connectivity Benefits
Developed under the Government of India's flagship Bharatmala Pariyojana at a substantial cost of Rs 1,400 crore, this new highway spans approximately 31 kilometres from IT Chowk in Mohali to Kurali, with further connections to the Siswan-Baddi route. The corridor promises to revolutionize regional travel by providing a direct and faster alternative for vehicles heading toward Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials confirmed that construction has been completed, with only final touches including road marking and signage installation remaining. These finishing works are expected to be completed within the next few days, paving the way for the official public opening.
Technical Features and Safety Standards
Engineers working on the project emphasized that safety standards were given top priority throughout the construction phase. The highway features:
- State-of-the-art technology integration
- Dedicated service lanes for local traffic
- Modern lighting systems for enhanced visibility
- Advanced signboards across the entire stretch
NHAI Project Manager Gaurav provided an update on the remaining work, stating, "The roadwork is almost complete. The pending stretch of around 100-150 metres near Kurali has also been finished. The premix work will be completed in a day or two, and the corridor will be opened for traffic on December 1."
Automated Toll Plaza and Traffic Management
In a significant step toward modern infrastructure, NHAI has established a fully automated toll plaza at Bajhedi village. This advanced facility features:
- Eight lanes in each direction for smooth traffic flow
- Separate dedicated lanes for oversized vehicles
- Automatic toll deduction system eliminating manual intervention
- Only two monitoring cabins for surveillance purposes
The automated system is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve the overall travel experience for commuters.
Expected Impact on Regional Development
Transportation experts and regional planners anticipate substantial benefits from the new Greenfield corridor, including:
Reduced travel time between key destinations including Chandigarh, Mohali, Kurali, Ambala, and adjoining hill regions, providing major relief to daily commuters who currently face congestion on the Mohali-Kharar-Kurali stretch.
Enhanced industrial connectivity that will accelerate freight movement for industrial hubs in Derabassi, Laldu, Baddi, Rajpura, and Barwala, thereby strengthening the logistics chain across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The corridor is expected to streamline traffic between Baddi, New Chandigarh, and Mohali while providing a major boost to industrial and commercial activity throughout the region.
Project History and Challenges Overcome
The construction journey hasn't been without obstacles. The project, which began in October 2022 by a Maharashtra-based company, faced multiple delays due to heavy rains and flooding in Punjab, causing missed deadlines in both June and September of this year.
Additional challenges included construction stalling due to high-tension power lines in the Kurali belt, which have since been resolved. This project replaces the earlier proposed Kharar-Banur-Tepala Road, which was scrapped due to high costs, making the new bypass a more feasible and strategic alternative for the Chandigarh-Mohali region.
Before the public opening, trial runs are scheduled for November 29 and 30, though limited vehicular movement has already begun on certain sections of the road.
Despite the advanced preparations, some issues have emerged, including several signboards installed along the new corridor containing spelling and language errors in Hindi and Punjabi. Notable mistakes include Fatehgarh Sahib written incorrectly as "Fatehgarh" and multiple misspellings of Landran.
The new Greenfield highway represents a significant infrastructure milestone for northern India, promising to transform regional connectivity and economic development while addressing long-standing traffic congestion issues that have plagued commuters for years.
