The long-delayed pedestrian underpass between Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Panjab University (PU) has hit another hurdle, with the UT administration inviting fresh bids for the project after years of inaction.
The project, approved in 2019 by then UT administrator VP Singh Badnore, has remained stalled for over six years due to design revisions, bureaucratic hurdles and heritage-related clearances.
Initially slated to begin construction in April 2026, the underpass is yet to see any on-ground progress. The administration had set a December 2026 deadline for completion, but the fresh tendering process indicates further slippage in timelines.
“The work will begin by mid-July as fresh tendering has been completed. There were issues in the previous tendering process, as bidders did not fill out the forms properly,” said an official.
The underpass is proposed along the busy Madhya Marg near the Sector 11-15 dividing line – one of the city’s most congested stretches. It is aimed at providing safe passage to nearly 10,000 daily commuters, including students, patients and attendants.
The proposed underpass project has seen multiple revisions in both design and cost, with estimates ranging between ₹8.4 crore and ₹12 crore over time. Planned to be approximately 32 metres long and 14-15.7 metres wide, the structure will include essential pedestrian-friendly features such as ramps and lifts to ensure accessibility, along with LED lighting for improved visibility and safety.
{{/usCountry}}The proposed underpass project has seen multiple revisions in both design and cost, with estimates ranging between ₹8.4 crore and ₹12 crore over time. Planned to be approximately 32 metres long and 14-15.7 metres wide, the structure will include essential pedestrian-friendly features such as ramps and lifts to ensure accessibility, along with LED lighting for improved visibility and safety.
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