Farmers today lifted their indefinite dharna at the toll plaza on the nearly complete 31.23-km Mohali-Kurali greenfield expressway after reaching a mutual understanding with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), clearing the way for the stalled Rs 1,525.3-crore project to resume finishing work and open for public use on December 15.
The protest, which began on November 24 at Bajheri village near Randhawa Road, had led to blocking of the expressway just days before its scheduled opening. Villagers and farmer union members had been demanding an entry/ exit at chainage 19+300, adjacent to the toll plaza.
Following a joint site visit by the NHAI, the contractor and the authority engineer, it was clarified — both on site and in an official communication — that such an access point was not feasible on an access-controlled greenfield highway, as it would compromise safety and cause traffic slippage during toll operations. However, in the resolution communicated in writing, the NHAI agreed to review the villagers’ alternative demand for a service-road connection linking km 17.000-17.700 (LHS) with km 18.300-18.700 (LHS), enabling local access to the already available entry/ exit at km 17+100. The proposal will be placed before the competent authority for approval, with work expected to start within 8-12 weeks after sanction. The understanding prompted the protesters to withdraw.