The Ghulatis On The Go team embarked on a journey to document the latest construction progress of the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur 4-lane highway in Punjab. This new highway is a significant part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana Project, aimed at enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time in the region. The team's objective was to provide a ground-level update on the road widening and bypass work, offering insights into the current status of the project.
The journey began with the team setting out early in the morning, with the sun rising in the background. The initial part of the drive covered the existing roads leading to the new highway construction sites. The team noted that the new bypass road from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur is not directly connected to the main highway, requiring careful navigation through side roads to access the construction areas. This initial segment of the journey highlighted the importance of thorough research and local knowledge to locate the various construction points.
Navigating Phagwara and the NH44 Exit
The drive started from Phagwara, with the team soon reaching the main NH44 highway. The narrator explained that their previous vlogs covered the old Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road, but this time the focus was on the new construction. They made a left exit from NH44 near a factory named Sampoorna Feeds. This exit point is crucial as it marks the beginning of the new construction stretch from the Phagwara side. The team emphasized that this particular road runs parallel to the main highway and does not have direct connectivity, necessitating a specific turn-off.
After exiting NH44, the team drove along the Phagwara-Mukandpur road. This road crosses the new construction, and the team intended to showcase the progress on both sides. They noted that the construction material for the side walls, or retaining walls, was piled up at the entrance of this road. However, it appeared that these materials had been there for a considerable time, suggesting a slow pace of work in certain areas.
Exploring the Construction Site from Phagwara Side
Upon reaching the actual construction site from the Phagwara side, the team observed that the road was primarily made of loose earth. A local worker confirmed that they were indeed on the new highway's alignment. The team drove cautiously on this unpaved section, noting that while their heavy vehicle, an Isuzu MU-X, could manage the loose soil, smaller cars might get stuck. The sun was directly ahead, making visibility challenging, but the team pressed on to capture the extent of the work.
Further along this stretch, they encountered an underpass under construction, with visible iron bars for casting. Laborers were actively working on the flooring of this underpass. Large piles of earth were also present, indicating ongoing earthwork for filling and raising the road level. The team noted that while earthwork was progressing, there was no visible work on retaining walls or other major structural elements in this section, suggesting that the project was still in its early stages here.
Transition to the Adampur Road Side
After documenting the Phagwara side, the team returned to the main road and proceeded towards the Adampur road. They took a left turn before a canal to access the construction site from this new perspective. The narrator explained that this particular road leads towards Adampur Airport. The team's plan was to cover the construction progress on the Hoshiarpur side of the highway, which would be accessible from the Adampur road.
Driving along the Adampur road, the team again encountered the new highway construction. Here, the work appeared more advanced, with retaining walls already in place and significant earth filling completed. Construction machinery, including rollers, was visible, actively leveling the earth. The team observed that the road was quite broad in this section. Despite the progress, the road surface remained loose and unpaved, making driving challenging. The team decided not to venture too far into the extremely loose soil to avoid getting stuck, prioritizing safety while still providing a comprehensive report.
Practical Takeaways for Commuters
Based on the ground report, it is evident that the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur 4-lane highway project is actively underway, albeit with varying degrees of progress across different sections. Commuters should be aware that while land acquisition and initial earthwork are largely complete, significant portions of the highway are still unpaved and consist of loose soil. This makes these sections challenging for regular vehicles, and a 4x4 vehicle is recommended for navigating the current construction zones.
The presence of construction machinery and ongoing work indicates that progress is being made, particularly in areas like the Adampur road side where retaining walls and earth leveling are more advanced. However, the overall completion of the highway, especially with proper paving and full connectivity, appears to be some time away. Travelers planning to use this route should anticipate rough road conditions and potential delays. The team's detailed exploration provides valuable real-time insights for those interested in the infrastructure development of Punjab.
Watch the Original Journey
This article is connected to the original Ghulatis On The Go video below. Watch it for the complete visual experience and conversations from the road.