The Chandigarh Administration has approved a Rs 89.13-crore elevated road project on Madhya Marg between Khuda Jassu and Khuda Lahora. The move comes as the Centre prepares to challenge in the Supreme Court the Punjab and Haryana High Court order that quashed the Tribune Chowk flyover project.
Elevated Road Project Details and Route
The proposed elevated road will take off before the Khuda Lahora bridge and land beyond the Botanical Garden, according to sources. The four-lane corridor is designed to ease congestion on the city's main east-west artery, particularly near the PGI approach.
According to project details accessed by The Tribune, the elevated road will be 1,280 metres long. This includes an 850-metre stilted, pier-supported section and a 430-metre solid-fill section.
Road Specifications and Design
The structure will have an overall width of 19.10 metres, including a 14-metre carriageway. The design aims to provide smooth traffic flow on one of Chandigarh's busiest stretches.
The project is part of a broader infrastructure push in the city. According to Hindustan Times, the elevated road towards PGI is among Rs 176-crore projects cleared by the administration panel.
Traffic Relief on Madhya Marg Corridor
The elevated road is expected to significantly reduce travel time for commuters using the Madhya Marg corridor. The stretch between Khuda Jassu and Khuda Lahora has been a bottleneck for traffic, especially during peak hours when vehicles heading towards PGI face long delays.
The project's approval signals the administration's commitment to addressing the city's growing traffic challenges. The four-lane elevated corridor will provide an alternative route for commuters, potentially reducing pressure on the existing road network.
"A congestion-free PGIMER to Sarangpur stretch will soon become a reality as the panel clears decks for elevated road construction at Khuda Jassu and Khuda Lahora at an estimated cost of Rs 89.13 crore." — Chandigarh Tribune
Our Take: A Step Towards Smarter Urban Mobility
In our view, this approval is a practical response to a problem that Chandigarh residents face daily. The Madhya Marg corridor has struggled with growing traffic volumes, and the elevated road offers a targeted solution rather than a broad, expensive overhaul.
To put it plainly, the Rs 89.13-crore investment shows the administration is thinking about long-term urban mobility. The focus on the PGI approach — one of the most congested areas in the city — makes sense. Patients, visitors, and staff heading to the hospital will benefit directly from smoother traffic flow.
However, the timing is notable. The approval comes as the Centre challenges the High Court order on the Tribune Chowk flyover. This suggests the administration is pushing forward with infrastructure projects despite legal hurdles on other fronts. Whether this signals a broader strategy remains to be seen, but for now, commuters on Madhya Marg have reason to be optimistic.
The project still needs to move through execution phases, and residents will watch closely to see if timelines are met. But the approval itself is a clear signal — Chandigarh is serious about fixing its traffic problems.
