Mullanpur-Kurali Road Project to be completed by February, GMADA assures HC

A vital 8.9-kilometer road stretch (PR-4), connecting the cricket stadium in New Chandigarh to the Kurali-UT boundary in Mullanpur, has faced repeated delays. Initially set to be completed by December 2023, its deadline was extended to March 2024. However, the Greater Mohali Development Authority (GMADA) has now informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the new target is February 2025.

This update was shared during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a residents’ welfare association from Eco City-1, New Chandigarh. The PIL highlights concerns such as delays in road construction, a blocked sewage treatment plant, uncollected waste, and the growth of a slum settlement in a low-lying area. In his affidavit, GMADA’s chief administrator, Moneesh Kumar, did not specify the reasons for the project’s delay.

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Challenges and recent developments

The PR-4 road project includes three bridges and connects to Chandigarh’s Dakshin Marg. The delay, according to a GMADA official, resulted from the late approval of plans to widen the road. Originally proposed to be 13.5 meters wide, it was later decided in November 2023 to reduce the width to 11 meters, taking nearly a year for authorities to finalize this decision.

Additionally, heavy monsoon rains last year impacted the pace of construction. The project has faced criticism, especially during the first Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the New Chandigarh stadium on March 23, when incomplete roadwork around the venue required last-minute adjustments.

Apart from the PR-4 road, other related projects in New Chandigarh are also underway. The VR-5 road, connecting Eco City-1 with Chandigarh and Mohali, is expected to be completed by December 2024. Another stretch, HR-3, linking Eco City-1 to VR-6, has a deadline of March 2025.

Despite the ongoing delays, authorities aim to complete these critical infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity and address public concerns.