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Infrastructure · Tricity · Airport Corridor

New Road: Panchkula to
Chandigarh Airport

Haryana is building a direct 100-foot road to the IXC terminal — ending 11 years of the Mohali loop for Panchkula, Zirakpur and eastern Chandigarh.
100 ft
Road width
38 ac
Defence land
11 yrs
Connectivity gap
450 m
Underpass length
MoD Application Being Filed
Status
MoD Application Being Filed - Haryana Civil Aviation Department has prepared the complete MoD application package — request letter, undertakings, sketch maps, government recommendation. Forms awaiting sign-off from Haryana's Civil Aviation Minister before formal upload to the MoD portal. Construction not yet started. Updated 4 Jul 2026
Summary

Haryana has approved a new 100-foot wide road that will connect Chandigarh, Panchkula and Zirakpur directly to the new IXC terminal, bypassing the current Mohali loop. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini approved the project in May 2026; Punjab declined to share costs. The road runs along the periphery of defence land and the CHIAL estate boundary. A Ministry of Defence clearance is required before construction can begin, along with acquisition of 38 acres of defence land and construction of a 450-metre underpass near ILS navigation equipment.

Source: Haryana Civil Aviation Department · The Tribune (May 18–19, 2026) · Last updated: 4 Jul 2026
Project At-A-Glance
Road width 100 feet
Start point Chandigarh entry point (Chandigarh-side)
End point New IXC terminal building
Alignment Along the periphery of IAF defence land and CHIAL estate boundary
Underpass 450 metres near ILS and CAT-II navigation equipment
Land required 38 acres of defence land (cash acquisition by Haryana)
Funding Haryana 100% - Punjab declined, UT position unclear
Approving authority CM Nayab Singh Saini (Haryana) - approved May 2026
Clearance required Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
Current stage MoD Application Being Filed
Connectivity served Panchkula, eastern Chandigarh sectors, Zirakpur, Kalka-Shimla Highway belt
Data source Haryana Civil Aviation Department · The Tribune exclusive
Project Status - Live Tracker Updated 4 Jul 2026
Jul 2026
MoD application package complete — awaiting minister sign-off
Haryana's Civil Aviation Department has prepared all required documents for the Ministry of Defence portal — request letter, undertakings, official sketch maps showing the alignment, and the government recommendation. The package is awaiting approval of the Haryana Civil Aviation Minister before formal filing. An office order directing upload on the MoD portal has been issued.
May 2026
Haryana CM approves — Punjab steps out
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini gives the go-ahead. Haryana's Civil Aviation Department directed to file the MoD application and bear all construction costs — land acquisition, road construction, IAF boundary wall rebuilding, new security system, and the 450-metre underpass. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann declines to contribute, citing economic stress. Chandigarh UT position still unclear.
Pending
Ministry of Defence formal approval
Once Haryana files on the MoD portal, the Ministry must approve acquisition of 38 acres of defence land along the alignment and the 450-metre underpass near ILS and CAT-II navigation infrastructure. MoD offers three modes — cash payment, land exchange, or equivalent infrastructure. Haryana will proceed on cash basis routed through HSVP. This remains the critical path item.
TBD
Land acquisition and tendering
Once MoD approves, Haryana proceeds with cash acquisition of 38 acres of defence land and floats construction tender. Full cost — land, road construction, IAF boundary wall, security system and underpass — borne entirely by Haryana.
TBD
Construction begins
100-foot road construction along CHIAL estate boundary. The 450-metre underpass section near ILS and CAT-II equipment requires specialised civil work and is a non-negotiable IAF mandate.
TBD
Road opens to public
Direct route from Panchkula and eastern Chandigarh to the new IXC terminal — without the Mohali loop. Zirakpur distance drops from 13.7 km to 9.6 km. Kalka-Shimla Highway from 11.7 km to 9.6 km. Mohali from 16 km to 13.1 km.
Background - The 11-Year Connectivity Gap

When PM Modi inaugurated the new Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on November 11, 2015, the old domestic terminal on the IAF base was simultaneously shut down. That old terminal had a direct entry from the Chandigarh side, which served Panchkula and eastern Chandigarh residents naturally. Its closure ended a decade of convenient access for half the tricity.

For eleven years, every resident of Panchkula, Manimajra, the eastern Chandigarh sectors, and the Kalka-Shimla Highway belt has been forced to take a longer loop through Mohali's congested road network to reach the new terminal. Multiple discussions between Punjab, Haryana and the UT about restoring direct access produced no result, primarily over cost-sharing disagreements.

2015
New Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport inaugurated by PM Modi on November 11. Old domestic terminal on IAF base simultaneously closed, removing the direct Chandigarh-side entry.
2015–2025
Panchkula, eastern Chandigarh sectors, Zirakpur and the Kalka-Shimla Highway belt forced onto a longer loop through Mohali's road network for all airport trips.
Multiple years
Multiple discussions between Punjab, Haryana and UT about restoring a direct link. No agreement reached on funding or alignment.
May 2026
Haryana breaks the deadlock - decides to fund and build alone. Alignment finalised, CM approval given, MoD application being filed.
Airport Ownership vs Road Funding
AAI
51%
Airport ownership stake
Not contributing to road
Haryana
24.5%
Airport ownership stake
Funding 100% of road
Punjab
24.5%
Airport ownership stake
Declined to contribute

The airport is a joint-venture asset, but the road is Haryana's unilateral decision. CM Saini has directed the Civil Aviation Department to proceed with the MoD application, acquire the 38 acres of defence land on a cash basis, and bear all construction costs including the mandated underpass near ILS navigation infrastructure. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann cited economic stress in declining. Chandigarh UT's position has not been officially stated.

Corridor Implications - Which Areas Change Factual context - not investment advice
Panchkula & Eastern Chandigarh
The sectors that faced the worst access penalty since 2015 - Panchkula's HUDA sectors, Manimajra, Sectors 44-46 of Chandigarh - gain a direct, shorter route. For residents considering property near IXC, the access inconvenience argument weakens.
Zirakpur Corridor
Zirakpur sits at the intersection of the existing airport approach and the area the new road will pass through. A second access point to the terminal adds to the corridor's connectivity profile.
Aerotropolis Pockets
The new road runs along the CHIAL estate boundary, which is the western edge of the Aerotropolis corridor. Direct Panchkula connectivity widens the buyer catchment from Punjab-only to Punjab + Haryana-side demand.
Airport Road (Sector 117)
The existing Airport Road in Sector 117 handles most current Mohali-side traffic. The new road is additive, not a replacement. Both access points are expected to operate simultaneously once the project is complete.
What the new road saves — official figures
Origin Current New route Saving
Zirakpur 13.7 km 9.6 km −4.1 km
Mohali 16.0 km 13.1 km −2.9 km
Kalka-Shimla Highway 11.7 km 9.6 km −2.1 km
Source: Technical feasibility data cited in official Haryana Civil Aviation Department communications, May 2026.
Related corridor projects
Zirakpur–Panchkula Bypass (NHAI)
Cost: ₹1,878 crore Length: 19.2 km (6-lane, including 6.195 km elevated) Forest clearance granted — construction contract award stage
MoEFCC granted Stage-2 forest clearance for 17.57 hectares. NHAI technical bids opened January 29, 2026. Project forms part of the Tricity Ring Road and Bharatmala programme. Will connect Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ambala and IXC airport directly, bypassing Dhakoli and Patiala Chowk congestion. Funded under Hybrid Annuity Model.
Property impact: Reduces truck and inter-state traffic through Zirakpur urban core. Baltana, Peer Muchalla, Panchkula Extension corridors expected to benefit.
GMADA Alternate Airport Link Road (Mohali side)
Cost: ₹125 crore Length: 8.7 km (164-foot wide) Under construction — partial stretch motorable
Separate from the Panchkula road. Built by GMADA on the Mohali side to provide an additional access corridor from Tribune Chowk via Sector 65/66 junction directly to the airport. Includes railway underpasses and bridge works. GMADA Chief Administrator confirmed full operational readiness delayed from December 2025 to mid-2026 due to ongoing underpass work. Punjab High Court has monitored progress.
Property impact: Relieves congestion on the existing Airport Road through Sector 117. Creates a second Mohali-side entry to the terminal. Both access points expected to operate simultaneously once complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a new road from Panchkula to Chandigarh airport?
Haryana has approved a plan to build a new 100-foot wide road from the Chandigarh entry point directly to the new IXC terminal. The road will run along the boundary of defence land and the CHIAL estate. As of May 2026, the project is awaiting Ministry of Defence approval before construction can begin.
How to reach Chandigarh airport from Panchkula currently?
Currently, commuters from Panchkula must take the longer route through Mohali's road network to reach Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. The journey typically takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. The proposed new road is designed to shorten this by providing a direct corridor along the CHIAL estate boundary.
Why is Haryana funding the airport road alone?
Chandigarh airport is jointly owned by AAI (51%), Punjab (24.5%) and Haryana (24.5%). When it came to funding the new access road, Punjab declined to contribute, citing economic stress. Haryana decided to proceed alone and bear the full cost, including the acquisition of 38 acres of defence land required for the alignment.
What is the current status of the Panchkula airport road project?
As of May 2026, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini has approved the project and directed the Civil Aviation Department to file an application with the Ministry of Defence for land clearance. The alignment is finalised. Construction has not yet started and is contingent on receiving the MoD clearance.
Why was the direct road from Chandigarh to the airport closed?
The old domestic terminal operated from within the IAF base and had a direct entry from the Chandigarh side. When the new international terminal opened on November 11, 2015, the IAF-base terminal was closed, and with it, the Chandigarh-side entry. Commuters were rerouted through Mohali, adding distance and travel time.
What is the alignment of the new airport road from Panchkula?
The road starts at the Chandigarh entry point and runs along the periphery of defence land and the vacant portion of the Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) estate, ending at the new terminal building. A 450-metre underpass is required near the ILS and CAT-II navigation equipment area.
What is the IATA code for Chandigarh airport?
The IATA code for Chandigarh airport (Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport) is IXC. The ICAO code is VICG. The airport is located at Jhiurheri village near Mohali, Punjab.
How does the new airport road affect Aerotropolis Mohali?
The new road runs along the western edge of the airport corridor, adjacent to the CHIAL estate which borders the Aerotropolis zone. By improving connectivity from Panchkula and eastern Chandigarh to the terminal, the road expands the catchment of commuters and potential buyers who consider the airport corridor conveniently accessible.

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