The proposed Zirakpur-Panchkula six-lane bypass will affect 4,106 trees across Punjab and Haryana, and a portion of the Panchkula Golf Course will fall within the approved alignment of the project. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 1,878.31 crore.
Zirakpur-Panchkula Bypass Route and Project Details
Haryana Public Works Department Minister Ranbir Gangwa informed the Assembly that the proposed bypass, under the jurisdiction of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), starts at the junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) near Bir Chhat light point. The bypass terminates at the junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) near Old Panchkula, with a total length of 19.2 km.
The minister's reply came in response to a question by Congress chief whip BB Batra. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the project.
Impact on Trees and Golf Course Land
The project will affect 4,106 trees across the two states. This includes trees in both Punjab and Haryana along the proposed route. Additionally, a portion of the Panchkula Golf Course will be impacted as it falls within the approved alignment of the bypass.
The project is a significant infrastructure development for the region, aimed at improving connectivity between Zirakpur and Panchkula. However, the environmental impact — particularly the loss of over 4,000 trees — raises questions about the balance between development and conservation.
Our Take: Development vs. Environment Trade-Off
To put it plainly, this project highlights a difficult trade-off that many infrastructure developments face. On one hand, a six-lane bypass of this scale will improve traffic flow and connectivity in a growing region. On the other hand, losing 4,106 trees is a serious environmental cost that cannot be ignored.
In our view, the authorities should be transparent about how they plan to compensate for this loss. Tree transplantation and large-scale afforestation programs should be part of the project plan, not an afterthought. The Golf Course impact also needs careful handling, as it affects a recreational space used by the public.
The approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs signals that this project is moving forward. The focus now should be on minimizing environmental damage and ensuring that the benefits of the bypass reach the people who need better roads, while protecting what remains of the region's green cover.
