The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given the green light for the construction of vehicular underpasses (VUPs) at Kailash Nagar Chowk and the Jassian Road to Guruhar Rai Nagar crossing on GT Road. A short-term tender for the project will be floated on Monday.
Announcing the development, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora expressed optimism that these underpasses will significantly reduce traffic congestion at two accident-prone black spots in Ludhiana. He extended his gratitude to NHAI for approving the Rs.44 crore project aimed at improving traffic flow on GT Road, a crucial link between Delhi and Jammu via Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Amritsar.
Arora emphasised that these VUPs, each measuring 15x2 meters with a clear height of 5.5 meters, would not only streamline vehicular movement but also enhance road safety by curbing high-speed accidents on this section of NH-1. The estimated cost for each underpass is Rs.21.67 crore.
The initiative follows persistent efforts by local MLA Daljit Singh Grewal who raised concerns over traffic bottlenecks and accident risks. Responding to his appeal, Arora had taken up the issue with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and the NHAI Chairman in September last year. He had urged the construction of underpasses at five major black spots in Ludhiana - Subhash Nagar to Sunder Nagar Chowk, Kailash Nagar Chowk, Kakowal Chowk to Shekhewal, Kali-Bindra Colony to Pringle Ground and Jassian Road to Guruhar Rai Nagar crossing.
Following a detailed feasibility study, two of the proposed five VUPs have now been approved. Arora has urged the NHAI officials to ensure their timely construction as a priority to improve road safety and traffic management in the city. Tender process is starting from 3rd of March, 2025.