Approval for Zirakpur Bypass | 10 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the construction of a six-lane Zirakpur bypass at a capital cost of Rs 1,878.31 crore.  

  • The project aims to ease congestion in cities like Zirakpur and Panchkula by redirecting traffic bound for Himachal Pradesh. 

 Key Points 

  • Route and Specifications:  
    • The six-lane Zirakpur bypass will start from the Zirakpur–Patiala junction on NH-7 and end at the Zirakpur–Parwanoo junction on NH-5. 
    • The bypass will cover a total length of 19.2 km, passing through Punjab and Haryana. 
    • The project will be developed using the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) as part of the National Highway (Original) [NH(O)] programme. 
  • Strategic Importance under PM GatiShakti: 
    • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways described the project as a key step in building integrated transport infrastructure. 
    • It aligns with the objectives of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which seeks to synchronise infrastructure planning and boost multi-modal connectivity. 

 PM GatiShakti National Master Plan 

  • The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021 is a transformative Rs. 100 lakh crore initiative aimed at revolutionising India’s infrastructure over the next five years.   
  • It has been developed as a Digital Master Planning tool by BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics).  
    • It has been prepared in a dynamic Geographic Information System (GIS) platform wherein data on specific action plans of all the Ministries/Departments have been incorporated within a comprehensive database.  
  • The plan seeks to accelerate project completion, reduce timelines, and enhance India’s global competitiveness by breaking down inter-ministerial obstacles.  
  • The vision of PM GatiShakti is to create a world-class infrastructure that improves the ease of living, boosts economic growth and makes Indian businesses more competitive. 

 PM GatiShakti National Master Plan 

Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)  

  • It is a mix of EPC and BOT-Annuity models. As per the design, the government will contribute 40% of the project cost in the first five years through annual payments (annuity).   
  • The remaining payment will be made on the basis of the assets created and the performance of the developer.