The proposed 19km Zirakpur–Panchkula greenfield bypass could help save almost the entire forest area in Peer Muchalla, Zirakpur, if the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shifts the elevated highway’s pillars 20 to 40 metres towards the Ghaggar river, technical experts representing the petitioners suggested at a crucial meeting on Saturday.
In July, the high court directed the NHAI to re-survey the bypass following a public interest litigation raising environmental concerns. During an earlier hearing, the authority submitted that a revised alignment could save more than 1,900 trees, nearly half of the approximately 4,000 trees initially identified for felling. However, the revision was estimated to increase the project cost by ₹ 65 crore over the original ₹ 1,800 crore and extend the completion timeline. Advocate Hanima Grewal, also appearing for the petitioners, said the minutes of Saturday’s meeting were being prepared and would be placed before the Punjab and Haryana high court when the matter comes up for hearing again on October 28.
