Residents and commuters in Panchkula must brace for continued traffic nightmares on the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh national highway. The frustrating congestion and terrible road conditions will likely persist for another two full years. This grim reality stems from a massively delayed four-laning project that remains mostly unfinished.
Project Stalled, Re-Tendering Awaits Green Light
After consistently missing deadlines, the crucial highway expansion is now completely halted. Authorities have sent a proposal for re-tendering the work to the central government for final approval. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the clock will only start ticking once a new contractor is appointed.
Project director Anand Dahiya confirmed the situation. He explained that the original contractor chose to exit the project. This decision came primarily due to prolonged delays in acquiring the necessary land. "Re-tendering will happen soon," Dahiya stated. "All the required formalities are complete. The project file is now with the central authorities for sanctioning. Once we receive approval, work will shift into high gear."
A Long Two-Year Wait Ahead
Dahiya delivered the sobering timeline. He indicated that roughly 60% of the total work is still pending. Completing this remaining portion will require a full two years after the project is finally re-allotted to a new firm. This means no quick relief is in sight for daily travelers.
An RTI reply provided hard numbers on the project's status. As of December 31, 2024, only 38.6% of the work was finished. Financially, authorities have spent approximately Rs 800 crore. The total project cost is pegged at a substantial Rs 1,692 crore.
Daily Commute Becomes a Hazardous Ordeal
The current state of the highway is a major source of public anger. The stretch serves as a vital link for vehicles traveling to the Baddi and Barotiwala industrial zones from the Chandigarh-Shimla highway. For these commuters, long traffic snarls, clouds of dust, and massive potholes are now part of the daily routine.
The problems are compounded by a lack of proper parking space and an excessively narrow right of way. These issues dramatically worsen congestion. This dangerous environment has led to a spike in frequent accidents and significant damage to vehicles navigating the broken road.
Public Outcry and Official Explanations
Local citizens and advocacy groups are expressing deep frustration. Vijay Bansal, president of the Pinjore-based Shivalik Vikas Manch, did not mince words. "The NHAI is not serious about bailing people out of this trouble," he said. "Thousands of vehicles pass through Pinjore every single day on this cramped double-lane highway. Traffic jams and accidents have become routine. The central government must treat this as a priority and get it done."
Officials have pointed to a cascade of issues that derailed the project since work began in April 2022. The list of setbacks is long:
- Delayed permissions for mining activities in Haryana.
- Significant damage to three key bridges during the heavy monsoon rains of 2024.
- Disruptions caused by the Lok Sabha elections and Nalagarh bypolls, which slowed the disbursement of compensation payments.
- The ultimate abandonment of the project by the contractor midway through execution.
For now, the people of Panchkula and surrounding areas are stuck in a holding pattern. Their hope for a smoother, safer commute hinges on swift central approval and a new contractor who can deliver on a tight two-year deadline.
