Zirakpur flyover beautification to resume, but what about traffic snarls & waterlogging?

Time of India

5 hours ago

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Mohali: Known more for its traffic snarls and waterlogging than anything else, the stretch beneath the Zirakpur flyover is finally set to undergo a long-awaited beautification.
After years of false starts and abandoned plans, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has roped in an NGO to execute the project.
Mohali deputy commissioner Komal Mittal confirmed the development, saying, "The project had lingered for years, but it is now in progress. The pillars will be painted with environmental and community-centric themes, and plantation will be undertaken to improve aesthetics and reduce encroachments."
The beautification idea was first floated in 2018 by then DC Gurpreet Kaur Sapra. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) was formed in 2019, and by 2020, NHAI had even issued an expression of interest with a budget of Rs 2 crore. But like many urban dreams, it was shelved due to funding issues.
In the vacuum left by inaction, the space beneath the flyover turned into an informal settlement. Squatters, slum dwellers, and beggars moved in, turning the area into a safety hazard and a civic embarrassment.
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The Zirakpur municipal council, lacking police support, struggled to reclaim the space.
Now, with the NGO stepping in, authorities hope to not just beautify the corridor but also reclaim public space and restore order.
From Blight to Bright
The makeover plan includes:
Fencing to prevent encroachments
Thematic pillar paintings with environmental and community-centric messages
Plantation drives to green up the grey concrete jungle
But the road ahead isn't smooth
Traffic mayhem at Patiala crossing
The Patiala turning under the flyover remains a nightmare.
During peak hours, it can take up to an hour to cross the bottleneck. The proximity to the congested Chandigarh-Delhi highway only adds to the chaos.
Waterlogging woes
Monsoon brings another challenge — waterlogging. A slight drizzle is enough to flood the area, thanks to a collapsed drainage system. Ironically, the very median where plantations are planned often turns into a mini lake. Zirakpur MC officials admitted they're helpless.
The township's congestion leaves no room for reconstructing the drainage system, they said.
Voices from the Ground
Sunil Kumar, a resident of Lohgarh, shared a near-tragic incident: "I was driving under the flyover when a group of children suddenly ran in front of my car. I swerved to avoid them and ended up hitting another vehicle. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it could've been much worse."