Mohali/Chandigarh: People travelling between Mohali and Chandigarh, especially those heading to the airport, could face a harrowing week starting Tuesday as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) launches a seven-day agitation from Sept 1, with a proposed blockade at the Jagatpura-Chandigarh border to press the Punjab govt to accept its demands.The protest is expected to put the entire Jagatpura-Phase 11-Airport Road corridor under severe pressure, raising the possibility of long traffic snarls and diversions on adjoining roads. Farmers have announced plans to occupy the stretch from the Chandigarh border near Jagatpura towards Phase 11 and Airport Road.While Chandigarh Traffic Police has already announced diversions and restrictions, effective from Aug 31, the Mohali administration has also swung into action. Around 1,600 police and paramilitary personnel are expected to be deployed to maintain law and order and avert any untoward incident. Senior police officers have held a series of meetings with the DGP office to finalise security and traffic management arrangements.Three duty magistrates have been appointed to coordinate with the police and oversee the situation at designated locations.The stretch between the Chandigarh border and IISER-Bestech Mall has been identified as the key trouble spot. Officials said efforts would be made to keep at least one carriageway open, though traffic movement would ultimately depend on the area occupied by the protesting farmers.Mohali deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said, “We will try to keep one side of the road open for traffic, but it will depend on which portion is occupied by the farmers.”Airport Road is likely to face the maximum impact. If protesters occupy one carriageway, authorities may have to run two-way traffic on the remaining side, significantly reducing road capacity and triggering long queues, particularly during peak hours.Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans clarified that the police would not impose road closures on their own.“Mohali Police is not going to close any road. It is the farmers who will block roads during their protest, and police will act accordingly. We will deploy adequate force to ensure the agitation remains peaceful and no untoward incident occurs,” he said.The administration has advised residents to avoid Airport Road unless absolutely necessary, particularly those travelling to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport and Mohali railway station. Officials fear traffic diverted from the Jagatpura route could spill over onto alternate roads, causing congestion across the wider road network.Hans said Airport Road would not be closed at any junction by the police, though the situation could change depending on the protesters’ movements.“Airport Road will not be closed at any junction, but if farmers occupy any portion of the road, we will act accordingly,” he said, adding that airport-bound commuters would be given free passage and urging residents to plan their journeys in advance and use alternate routes.BOX | Airport Road could become bottleneckThe biggest concern for commuters is Airport Road, one of Mohali’s busiest corridors. If protesters occupy part of the roadway, authorities may have to operate two-way traffic on a single carriageway, drastically reducing road capacity and leading to long delays, particularly during peak hours.Residents have been advised to avoid the stretch and use alternate routes, especially while travelling to:Shaheed Bhagat Singh International AirportMohali railway stationChandigarh via Airport RoadDomino effectOfficials fear traffic diverted from the Jagatpura blockade could create a domino effect, leading to congestion across several key roads in Mohali.BOX | CHANDIGARH POLICE ANNOUNCES DIVERSIONSThe farmers’ agitation is also expected to affect traffic movement on the Chandigarh side. Chandigarh Police has announced diversions and restrictions on key stretches.Traffic diversions/restrictionsPurv Marg:Traffic from Faidan Barrier towards Chandigarh will be diverted.Sector 48:Traffic from T-Point, Sector 48 Light Point near the wine shop, towards the internal road of Sector 48 will remain restricted.Sector 48/49 and Sector 49/50:Traffic movement towards Chandigarh will remain restricted.Chandigarh Police has urged commuters to use alternate routes and cooperate with personnel deployed on the ground.The public has also been advised to monitor real-time traffic updates through Chandigarh Traffic Police’s official social media handles on X (@trafficchd), Instagram (@trafficchd) and Facebook (@ChandigarhTrafficPolice).
