Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass pillar shift may save Peer Muchalla forest

Technical experts representing petitioners have proposed shifting pillars of the 19-km Zirakpur–Panchkula greenfield bypass by 20 to 40 metres towards the Ghaggar river to save the entire forest area in Peer Muchalla, Zirakpur. The proposal was discussed at a meeting on Saturday attended by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, technical experts, petitioners and their counsels.

The proposed shift aims to minimise the environmental impact of the six-lane project, which is likely to require the felling of more than 3,000 trees, according to official details.

In July, the High Court directed the NHAI to conduct a fresh survey of the bypass after a public interest litigation raised concerns over its environmental impact.

During an earlier hearing, the NHAI submitted that a revised alignment could save more than 1,900 of the approximately 4,000 trees initially identified for felling. However, the revision was estimated to add Rs 65 crore to the original project cost of Rs 1,800 crore and extend the completion timeline.

The bypass will connect the Chatt light point on the Zirakpur–Ambala highway (NH-7) with the old Panchkula light point on NH-5, allowing Shimla-bound traffic to bypass congestion in Zirakpur.