Residents and commuters along the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway-5 can soon expect relief from the recurrent traffic jams at Chambaghat in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.
The much-anticipated rail overbridge, constructed above the railway line, is set to open to vehicles after August 15.
The project’s construction company successfully conducted a trial and the results have been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which has given its approval for the bridge’s use.
The Chambaghat area has long been a bottleneck, with frequent traffic jams made worse by the railway gate. However, with the completion of the rail overbridge, these issues are expected to be reduced. The bridge’s opening marks a significant milestone in the ongoing four-lane expansion of the highway from Chambaghat (Solan) to Kaithlighat, which has also caused temporary disruptions due to hill cutting and road widening activities.
Construction of the 600-metre-long bridge, which began in October 2019, was initially projected to be completed within a year. Despite early momentum, the work faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the heavy rains of 2023. Now, with the bridge complete, residents and commuters can look forward to smoother and safer journeys.
The bridge features 19 spans, with the span over the railway track in Chambaghat being the longest at 51.480 metres. The approach roads leading to the flyover are 175 metres long from the Solan side and 350 metres from the Shimla side, with service lanes constructed on both sides to improve safety and reduce accidents.
According to Anand Dahiya, project director of NHAI in Shimla, vehicles heading towards Shimla and Chandigarh will be able to use the rail overbridge after August 15, easing traffic congestion in Chambaghat. “This will also provide relief from the traffic jam at Chambaghat,” Dahiya said, expressing confidence that the new infrastructure will make a significant difference for travellers in the region.
