Baltana-Chandigarh Railway Underpass to Open Soon, Foundation Stone on May 20

May 17, 2026

Chandigarh: Residents of Chandigarh are soon to receive relief from the chronic traffic congestion at the railway crossing. The foundation stone for a new underpass, to be constructed beneath the railway line, will be laid on May 20 by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria. The administration has already commenced preparations for the event, and necessary directives have been issued to the concerned departments.

The construction of this underpass will directly benefit thousands of residents in Darwa village, Baltana, Zirakpur, and the surrounding areas. Currently, people are forced to endure long wait times whenever the railway crossing gates are closed, leading to daily traffic jams.

Ambulances and School Vehicles Also Get Stuck in Jams

According to local residents, the frequent closure of the railway crossing gates throughout the day causes immense inconvenience to the public. On numerous occasions, ambulances, school buses, and vehicles carrying office-goers get trapped in the resulting traffic snarls. The situation tends to worsen significantly during peak hours.

Residents have long been demanding the construction of either an underpass or an overbridge at this location. Now, following the administration’s approval of the project, this long-awaited initiative is finally coming to fruition.

Underpass Being Built at a Cost of ₹12.81 Crore

According to the administration, this project is being executed at an estimated cost of approximately ₹12.81 crore. The underpass will span a length of approximately 50 meters and is being constructed directly beneath the railway line.

Officials state that once the underpass is completed, residents will no longer be dependent on the railway crossing gates, and vehicular movement will become significantly smoother. This will help alleviate traffic pressure and reduce travel time.

A Long-Standing Demand Finally Being Fulfilled

The population in Darwa and its neighboring areas has been steadily increasing. Consequently, the volume of vehicular traffic at the railway crossing has also risen over time. Local residents and elected representatives have repeatedly raised this issue with the administration on numerous occasions.

The administration has issued strict instructions to the construction agencies and the Engineering Department to ensure the timely completion of the project. Officials from the Railway Department, the Engineering Wing, and the administrative services are expected to be present during the foundation stone laying ceremony.