The 12-day blockade on the nearly completed 31.23-km Mohali–Kurali greenfield expressway has officially ended after farmers and villagers reached a mutual understanding with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). With the protest lifted, the stalled ₹1,525.3-crore project has resumed finishing work and is now set to open for public use on December 15.
The dharna, which began on November 24 at Bajheri village, had halted operations just days before the scheduled inauguration. Protesters, including villagers and members of farmer unions, were demanding an entry/exit at chainage 19+300, near the toll plaza. After a joint site inspection by the NHAI, contractor, and authority engineer, it was clarified that such an access point could not be provided on an access-controlled greenfield highway due to safety concerns and potential disruptions to toll operations.
However, in a written resolution, the NHAI agreed to review and process an alternative local-access proposal put forth by the villagers. The plan involves creating a service-road connection between km 17.000–17.700 (LHS) and km 18.300–18.700 (LHS), enabling local commuters to use the already available entry/exit at km 17+100. The proposal will be placed before the competent authority, and work is expected to commence within 8–12 weeks of approval.
Following the assurance, the farmers withdrew the protest.
“Villagers and union members are happy that their genuine and legitimate demand has been met,” said Ranbir Singh Grewal, Press Secretary of BKU (Lakhowal). “We have called off the dharna and allowed the NHAI to complete and open the expressway.”
With the site cleared, the NHAI and its contractor have resumed final works on the corridor. One of the last major technical challenges — the shifting of BBMB high-tension lines — has already been completed.
The Mohali–Kurali expressway forms Package-2 of the larger ₹3,166.96-crore, 61.23-km six-lane Chandigarh–Ambala corridor, connecting IT City Chowk in Mohali to Kurali via the Kurali–Siswan road. The project spans 215 hectares and is expected to significantly decongest Mohali, Kharar and Kurali, ease the load on Mohali Airport Road, and streamline regional movement between Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Its counterpart, Package-1, stretching 30 km from Ambala–Hisar Road to IT City, is currently 75% complete and scheduled for launch by May next year. Together, both packages form a crucial segment of the region’s emerging Tricity ring-road network.
Significance of the Resolution
Clears the expressway after a 12-day blockade
Allows resumption of final construction works
Ensures opening of a key regional link by December 15
Prevents delays in the wider Chandigarh–Ambala six-lane corridor
Restores progress on the Tricity ring-road network