The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has put an alternate proposal before the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the stalled Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass. The revised plan would save more than 1,900 trees, but it would also add Rs 65 crore to the cost of the project and push back its completion timeline.
The bypass itself is a Rs 1,878-crore project. NHAI's counsel presented the new alignment to the division bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor through an audio-visual presentation.
What NHAI Told the High Court About the Bypass Alignment
According to the counsel, the alternate alignment would ensure the likely saving of more than 1,900 trees. The trade-off is clear: the project cost goes up by Rs 65 crore, and the project will take longer to finish.
The counsel also drew the court's attention to a re-evaluation report. This report carries a detailed afforestation and plantation plan to offset the trees that would be lost. In simple words, NHAI is telling the court it has a plan not just to reduce tree cutting, but also to make up for whatever greenery is affected.
Why This Bypass Plan Matters
The Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass has been stalled, and this fresh proposal is NHAI's attempt to move it forward while addressing environmental concerns. The court is now reviewing the alternate alignment and the plantation plan.
- The alternate alignment avoids cutting more than 1,900 trees, according to NHAI's presentation to the court
- The cost of the project rises by Rs 65 crore under the new plan
- The completion timeline of the project will also increase
- A re-evaluation report with an afforestation and plantation plan has been placed before the bench
To put it plainly, this is a case where saving trees comes with a price tag and a delay. The court will decide whether that trade-off is acceptable.
Our Take: Saving Trees at a Cost Is the Right Direction
In our view, NHAI's alternate proposal is a step in the right direction. Yes, Rs 65 crore is a big amount, and a longer timeline will test the patience of commuters who have waited for this bypass. But cutting down more than 1,900 trees is a permanent loss. A road can be built later; a full-grown tree cover cannot be rebuilt overnight.
The afforestation plan in the re-evaluation report is a good addition, but the real test is in the follow-through. Plantation plans often look good on paper and fade on the ground. The High Court should ask for clear accountability on how and where these trees will be planted, and who will check that they survive.
For readers, the message is simple: the Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass is not moving forward yet. The court is weighing a plan that protects trees but costs more and takes longer. That is a fair debate to have, and it should be settled with facts, not haste.
Sources & References
- Original news report on NHAI's alternate proposal before the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the Zirakpur-Panchkula bypass
