For over 2,000 days, commuters have endured the nightmarish gridlock at Madhya Marg’s key intersection. Now, the Chandigarh Administration has set a firm deadline, promising relief from the chronic traffic snarls that have plagued the city’s vital PGI-to-Panjab-University corridor.

CHANDIGARH: In a move that signals the end of a six-year-long saga of delays and frustration, the Chandigarh Administration has officially announced that the construction of the highly anticipated PGI-PU underpass will finally commence in November 2025. In a decisive meeting chaired by the UT Adviser, officials confirmed that the entire project is slated for completion within a tight, six-month timeframe, aiming to open the underpass to the public by May 2026.

This isn’t just another civic project; for countless residents, students, patients, and daily commuters, this underpass represents a long-overdue solution to one of the city’s most infamous traffic bottlenecks. The announcement has been met with a collective sigh of relief, tinged with a healthy dose of skepticism born from years of postponed deadlines.

The Anatomy of a Traffic Nightmare: Why This Underpass is Non-Negotiable

To understand the significance of this development, one must experience the peak-hour chaos at the Madhya Marg intersection, connecting Sector 12, 14, and 15. This isn’t merely a junction; it’s the primary artery feeding three critical institutions:

1. The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI): A hospital of national importance, where every second counts for ambulances and visitors. The current gridlock directly impacts emergency access and patient stress levels.
2. Panjab University (PU): A sprawling campus with tens of thousands of students and staff. The daily ingress and egress create tidal waves of traffic that the existing roundabout simply cannot handle.
3. The PGI Emergency & Specialized Blocks: Adding to the volume, this area sees a constant flow of medical professionals, patients, and supply vehicles.

The result? A perfect storm of congestion. A journey that should take two minutes can stretch to 20-30 minutes during morning and evening rush hours. The ripple effects are felt across adjoining sectors, with motorists seeking alternative routes through residential areas, thereby shifting the problem rather than solving it.

Breaking Down the Blueprint: What to Expect from the PGI-PU Underpass Project

So, what exactly is going to be built? The plan is for a single, strategic underpass that will streamline the heaviest traffic flow.

• The Route: The underpass is designed for traffic travelling from Sector 12 towards Panjab University and PGI. This means vehicles coming from the ISBT/Industrial Area side will be able to bypass the Madhya Marg intersection entirely, diving into an underpass that will likely emerge near the PGI entrance.
• Traffic Flow Post-Completion: Once operational, through-traffic on this route will flow unimpeded beneath the intersection. This will free up the surface-level roundabout for vehicles taking right turns into PGI, left turns towards Sectors 14 & 15, and traffic coming from the opposite direction (PU towards Sector 12). The signal cycle will be drastically shortened, reducing wait times for all other movements.
• Pedestrian Safety: A critical component of the project will be the incorporation of safe pedestrian crossings, likely via subways or dedicated, signal-controlled surface crossings, ensuring the safety of patients, students, and residents navigating this complex zone.

A Timeline of Delays: Why Did It Take Six Years to Start?

The story of this underpass is a masterclass in bureaucratic and logistical hurdles. The project was first conceived and announced in 2019. Since then, it has been trapped in a cycle of:

• Funding Allocation and Re-allocation: Securing a budget of this magnitude for a single infrastructure project in UT requires multiple layers of approval.
• Technical Plan Scrutiny: The presence of critical underground utilities—water lines, sewage systems, electrical cables, and fibre optics—meant that the engineering plans had to be meticulously vetted to avoid disrupting essential services to PGI and the surrounding sectors.
• Tendering and Contractual Formalities: Finding a contractor capable of executing such a complex project in a high-traffic, high-stakes area within a strict timeline is a challenge in itself.
• The COVID-19 Pandemic: The global health crisis brought all non-essential construction and administrative processes to a grinding halt for a significant period, pushing the project to the backburner.

The recent high-level meeting appears to have cut through this red tape, with the UT Adviser directing officials to ensure all preparatory work, including the finalization of the contractor, is completed before the Diwali season, allowing for an immediate start in November.

The Construction Phase: Brace for Impact Before the Relief

Let’s be unequivocally clear: the next six months are going to be challenging. The commencement of construction in November 2025 will inevitably exacerbate the existing traffic situation before it gets better. Residents and commuters should prepare for:

• Phased Road Closures and Diversions: Significant portions of Madhya Marg will be barricaded for excavation and construction. The Chandigarh Traffic Police will have to implement a robust diversion plan, likely rerouting traffic through Sectors 11, 14, and 15.
• Increased Congestion on Alternate Routes: Roads like the one past the PU grounds and through Sector 14 will see a massive spike in traffic volume.
• Noise and Dust Pollution: Piling, excavation, and concrete work are noisy, dusty affairs. Residents in the immediate vicinity and patients at PGI will need to bear with the temporary inconvenience.
• Impact on Public Transport: Bus routes, particularly those of CTU, will be altered. Commuters are advised to stay updated on route changes via official channels.

The key to managing this phase is proactive communication. The administration must provide real-time updates on road closures and diversions through social media, local news, and on-ground signage.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel: Envisioning a Smoother Chandigarh

By May 2026, if the authorities deliver on their promise, the transformation is expected to be dramatic.

• Commute Time Slashed: The journey from the ISBT/Industrial Area side to PGI and PU could be reduced from 30 minutes to under 5 minutes during peak hours.
• Boost to Emergency Services: Ambulances will have a clear, predictable run to PGI, a factor that can genuinely save lives.
• Reduced Pollution and Fuel Wastage: Idling in traffic jams burns fuel and pumps emissions into the air. A free-flowing intersection will contribute to lower carbon emissions and save commuters money.
• Enhanced Road Safety: With segregated traffic flows and dedicated pedestrian pathways, the potential for accidents at the chaotic intersection should see a significant decline.

The Verdict: Cautious Optimism for a Landmark Project

The Chandigarh PGI-PU underpass is more than just a piece of infrastructure; it is a test of the administration’s ability to execute a critical public project on time. The November 2025 start date is a firm commitment that the public will be watching closely.

While the history of delays justifies the prevailing skepticism, the clear, public deadline set by the UT Adviser offers a new hope. The promise of a six-month construction period is ambitious but achievable with modern engineering techniques and relentless project management.

For now, Chandigarhites can mark their calendars. The short-term pain of construction is on the horizon, but it heralds the long-term gain of a decongested, more efficient, and safer Madhya Marg. The journey to a smoother commute is finally beginning.

• Published Date: October 28, 2024
• Location: Chandigarh, India
• Project Start: November 2025
• Project Completion: May 2026 (Estimated)
• Project Duration: 6 Months
• Key Benefit: Decongestion of Madhya Marg intersection near PGI and Panjab University.