Ludhiana: After repeated delays over the past few years, remaining stretches of the Ludhiana-Chandigarh National Highway project are expected to be completed by June this year, according to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).The incomplete portions, measuring around 1.2 to 1.3 kilometres, lie at Khant and Jatana Uncha, both in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Work on these stretches could not proceed earlier because NHAI was awaiting possession of land where structures were to be demolished. Due to this bottleneck, construction did not move forward at the two locations since 2020, even though NHAI had completed more than 74 kilometres of the 76-kilometre Kharar-Ludhiana project by that time.Speaking to TOI, project director Aashim Bansal said work is currently in progress at the two spots and is likely to be completed by June if land acquisition issues are resolved on time. An NHAI official, who did not wish to be named, said a key reason for the delay is a missing 20-metre plot, which has prevented construction of the service road. The official added that they expect to obtain the land within one to two months. Efforts to resolve the issue are underway.The official explained that NHAI is constructing 250 to 300 metres of approach roads at each of the two sites. Besides, two underpasses, each 12 metres wide, are also being constructed. He added that earlier this year, the central govt approved construction of flyovers at the two locations at an estimated cost of over Rs 27 crore.A recent visit to the highway revealed that structures at Khant Manpur and Jatana Uncha have been demolished and work is ongoing, though the number of labourers at the sites was limited. There is also a pending issue near Sanghol, where construction of a service lane has not been permitted because the highway passes close to an archaeological structure, restricting road expansion at that spot.Meanwhile, commuters and residents continue to wait for full completion of the highway project, even as toll is being charged at two plazas — one at Ghulal near Samrala and another at Bhago Majra in Kharar. Many travellers say it is unreasonable to pay toll for a highway that remains incomplete at two crucial points.Advocate Gagandeep Sharma from Samrala said authorities are already collecting toll at two locations despite not having finished construction. He added that the incomplete patches are accident-prone and need to be completed without further delay. Amarjit Kaur, a resident of Ludhiana, said the highway plays a vital role in connecting two major cities and is heavily used by businessmen, professionals, students, farmers and others. She said the remaining stretches must be finished at the earliest to benefit people who rely on this route every day.Box 1: The Highway Route The project, which began in March 2017, was originally expected to be completed by September 2019, but saw multiple delays. Before 2016, the highway was reportedly a two-lane road. The 76-km Kharar–Ludhiana project involved six-laning of 54 km and four-laning of 22 km of the national highway. The highway starts at Kharar town, passes through Morinda bypass, Khamano, the proposed Samrala bypass, and ends in Ludhiana. It includes two major bridges, six minor bridges, eight flyovers, six vehicular underpasses, 10 pedestrian underpasses, 126 culverts, 46 km of service lanes, nine major junctions, 253 minor junctions, and an 8-km Samrala bypass.Box 3: Pandemic Disruption Protests and the Covid lockdown delayed the project. In 2019, villagers from Bondli staged a dharna for over 110 days, demanding a bridge near Samrala bypass. NHAI officials said the lockdown caused labour shortages, adding to the delays.Through The Obstacle Course — Two incomplete stretches of the Ludhiana–Chandigarh National Highway, measuring 1.2–1.3km, are finally expected to be completed by June 2026, says NHAI — Work remained stalled since 2020 due to pending demolition and land-possession issues despite 74 km of the 76-km project being completed earlier — A missing 20-metre plot has blocked construction of the service road, with officials expecting possession within 1 to 2 months — NHAI is currently constructing 250 to 300 metres of approach roads on each of the two incomplete locations, along with two 12-metre underpasses — Central govt recently approved flyovers worth over Rs 27 crore at Khant and Jatana Uncha — Work progressing slowly at both sites due to a limited number of labourers — A separate issue persists near Sanghol, where service lane work cannot proceed because of proximity to an archaeological structure — Commuters express frustration as toll continues to be collected at Ghulal (Samrala) and Bhago Majra (Kharar) despite the highway being unfinished — Residents and highway users say the incomplete stretches are accident-prone and demand immediate completion
