Zirakpur–Panchkula Bypass Moves Closer to Reality as NHAI Receives 9 Bids for ₹1,878-Crore Project
The long-pending Zirakpur–Panchkula bypass has finally entered the execution phase, bringing major relief to the Tricity region. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received nine bids for the ₹1,878-crore project and has opened the technical bids, which are currently under evaluation. This marks a crucial milestone for one of North India’s most anticipated road infrastructure projects.
According to NHAI officials, once the technical scrutiny is completed, financial bids will be opened, and the entire evaluation and award process is expected to conclude within four to six weeks. The contract is likely to be awarded next month to the most eligible bidder, officially kickstarting construction after years of delays.
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Despite receiving approval from the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in April last year, the project remained stalled for over nine months due to pending Stage-2 forest clearance at the state level. This led NHAI to extend bid deadlines six times after floating fresh tenders in June. The deadlock was resolved after approval from the Punjab Forests Minister, enabling final clearance from the Union Environment Ministry’s regional office in Chandigarh.
The six-lane, 19.2-km Zirakpur–Panchkula bypass is designed to decongest the heavily burdened NH-5 and NH-7 corridors. The project includes a 6.195-km elevated stretch, five flyovers, multiple underpasses, major and minor bridges, and a railway overbridge. It will divert heavy traffic away from Zirakpur lights, Airport Road, and the Panchkula entry point.
Once completed, the bypass will act as a vital segment of the proposed Tricity Ring Road, improving connectivity to Himachal Pradesh, Ambala, and Chandigarh Airport. With land acquisition completed in 2020 and all statutory approvals now secured, construction is expected to begin soon after the award, with a targeted completion year of 2028—promising reduced travel time, lower pollution, and enhanced road safety.
