Authorities prepare for week-long protest that could disrupt airport access
Mohali and Chandigarh administrations have mobilised resources and announced traffic management measures ahead of a seven-day agitation by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which begins on Sept 1 and includes the threat of a blockade at the Jagatpura–Chandigarh border. The protest is expected to place the entire Jagatpura–Phase 11–Airport Road corridor under severe pressure and could cause long traffic snarls, particularly affecting passengers travelling to Chandigarh airport.
Local authorities said traffic restrictions and diversions will come into effect from Aug 31. The Mohali administration and Chandigarh Traffic Police have held coordination meetings and drawn up contingency plans to keep traffic moving as far as possible while respecting the protesters' right to demonstrate.
Officials indicated that around 1,600 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order and avert any untoward incident. Three duty magistrates have been appointed to coordinate with the police and oversee the situation at designated locations.
“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,”
Mohali deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said, underlining that the actual traffic movement would be contingent on the area occupied by protesters.
Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans clarified the police posture, saying they would not impose road closures unilaterally. “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,” he said, according to the reporting. Officials added that efforts would be made to keep at least one carriageway open, though if protesters occupy a carriageway authorities may have to operate two-way traffic on the remaining side, substantially reducing capacity.
Key locations, likely impacts and contingency measures
Authorities have identified the stretch between the Chandigarh border and IISER–Bestech Mall as the primary trouble spot. Airport Road is expected to face the maximum impact. Commuters, airport-bound travellers and commercial traffic along the corridor should expect delays, route diversions and intermittent congestion during the seven-day period.
- Effective date of restrictions: From Aug 31 (pre-emptive traffic measures) ahead of protest starting Sept 1.
- Duration of agitation: Seven days, beginning Sept 1.
- Deployment: Approximately 1,600 police and paramilitary personnel; three duty magistrates appointed.
- Primary affected corridor: Jagatpura–Phase 11–Airport Road, with key spot between Chandigarh border and IISER–Bestech Mall.
Officials said practical traffic management would include attempting to maintain at least one open carriageway and running two-way traffic on a single side if required. Specific alternate routes and real-time advisories are expected to be issued by Chandigarh Traffic Police and Mohali authorities closer to the start of the agitation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Protest organisers | Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) |
| Start date | Sept 1 |
| Pre-emptive traffic measures | From Aug 31 |
| Security deployment | ~1,600 police and paramilitary personnel; 3 duty magistrates |
| Primary impact zone | Jagatpura–Phase 11–Airport Road; Chandigarh border to IISER–Bestech Mall |
Public advisories and likely travel disruptions
Authorities have not announced blanket road closures but warned that the situation on ground will determine movement. If protesters occupy a carriageway, the resulting two-way operation on the remaining side will cut road capacity significantly and is likely to cause long queues, especially during peak hours. Airport Road has been singled out as likely to bear the brunt of any blockades.
Passengers heading to Chandigarh airport are advised to factor extra travel time, consider earlier departures for flights, and monitor official traffic advisories from Chandigarh Traffic Police and Mohali district administration. Commuters using the Jagatpura–Phase 11 corridor should be prepared for sudden diversions and intermittent stoppages.
Senior police officers held meetings with the DGP office to finalise security and traffic-management arrangements, the report said. The coordinated approach aims to strike a balance between facilitating lawful protest and maintaining essential movement and safety for residents and travellers in the area.
Details of specific diversion routes, timing of traffic restrictions and the locations where duty magistrates will be stationed are expected to be issued by the respective authorities before the agitation begins. Until then, motorists and passengers have been urged to keep abreast of updates from official channels.
