Greenfield Expressway Opens, Promising Smoother Travel And Regional Connectivity

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 1,150 Views

After multiple delays, the Greenfield project in Mohali has opened to the public, promising smoother flow on Airport Road and an alternative corridor for Delhi-bound traffic toward Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The ₹1,400-crore project faced protests that led to entry-exit concessions near the toll plaza before launch.

The long-awaited Greenfield corridor in Mohali is now open, offering commuters significant relief on the congested Airport Road and creating an alternate route for inter-state traffic. Conceived to decongest a critical urban stretch and improve connectivity, the project overcame three missed deadlines and pre-launch protests, culminating in an agreement with landowners for an entry and exit near the toll plaza. The corridor has a single toll plaza that will remain non-operational initially as rates are yet to be finalized.

Key Highlights

Estimated cost of ₹1,400 crore, split evenly between land acquisition (₹700 crore) and construction (₹700 crore)
Single toll plaza on the stretch; toll collection deferred until rates are finalized, enabling smoother early adoption
Delayed from earlier June and September targets and a proposed December 1 opening due to landowner and farmer union protests
NHAI resolved protests by agreeing to provide entry and exit near the toll plaza, clearing the path for inauguration
Provides an alternative corridor for Delhi-bound traffic heading toward Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, easing regional movement
Project emerged after the earlier 40-km Kharar–Banur–Tepla plan was scrapped for high costs, redirecting focus to this corridor
Officials indicated final formalities under Bharatmala Pariyojana were completed in recent days to enable opening
Indian Express earlier flagged planned opening to alleviate rising congestion on Airport Road and surrounding stretches

What This Means For Commuters

The corridor should immediately reduce bottlenecks on Airport Road and redistribute inter-state traffic, cutting travel times and improving safety. Temporary toll deferment is likely to accelerate adoption while authorities finalize tariffs. With new entry-exit access near the toll plaza, local connectivity is improved alongside regional transit benefits.

Sources: Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The Reporting Times

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