Underpass to connect Ambala railway station and bus stand, says Haryana minister Anil Vij

Haryana transport minister Anil Vij has announced that a new pedestrian underpass will be built to connect the Ambala Cantonment railway station with the Ambala Cantonment bus stand. The project is aimed at making travel safer and easier for thousands of passengers who move between these two busy transport points every day.

The underpass will be constructed beneath the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, which lies between the railway station and the bus stand. The GT Road is one of the busiest roads in the area and is often heavily congested with traffic. At present, passengers and local residents face serious difficulties while crossing the road on foot.

Safer movement for passengers

Speaking about the project, Anil Vij said that both the Ambala Cantonment railway station and the bus stand are important transport hubs. Every day, a very large number of people walk between the two places. Because the GT Road runs between them, passengers are forced to cross heavy traffic, which puts their safety at risk.

The minister said that the new underpass will provide a safe and convenient route for pedestrians. Once completed, people will no longer need to cross the busy road on foot. This will reduce the risk of accidents and save time for travellers.

According to Vij, the underpass will be built near the GT Road exit gate of the bus stand. From there, it will run underneath the GT Road and end near the railway station’s escalator. This design will allow passengers to move directly from one transport point to the other without coming onto the main road.

He added that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has already prepared the plan for the underpass. Since the project falls under the jurisdiction of multiple departments, permissions are required before construction can begin.

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The underpass area also comes under the control of the Railways and Haryana Roadways. Because of this, no-objection certificates (NOCs) have been sought from both departments. The minister said that work on the project will start as soon as these approvals are received.

Design and construction details

Anil Vij shared details about the design and features of the underpass. He said the structure will be around 60 metres long. It will be designed for pedestrians and will include proper lighting to ensure safety, especially during early morning and late evening hours.

The underpass will also be equipped with basic amenities to make it comfortable for users. To address the problem of water accumulation during the rainy season, pumps will be installed. These pumps will help remove excess water and prevent waterlogging inside the underpass.

The minister said that these measures are being included to ensure that the underpass remains usable throughout the year. Poor drainage has often been a problem in similar projects, and steps are being taken to avoid such issues in Ambala.

Ambala Cantonment railway station is one of the busiest railway stations in North India. It serves millions of passengers every year and connects several important routes. The bus stand, located directly opposite the station across the GT Road, also handles thousands of passengers daily, with hundreds of buses operating from the location.

Despite their close proximity, moving between the two has always been challenging due to heavy traffic on the GT Road. Many passengers, including elderly people, children, and those carrying luggage, struggle to cross the road safely.

Local residents and frequent travellers have long demanded a safe pedestrian crossing at this location. The announcement of the underpass has therefore been welcomed as an important step towards improving public convenience and safety.

Vij said the government is committed to improving transport infrastructure in Haryana. He added that projects like this underpass are part of efforts to make travel easier and safer for the public.

Once the required permissions are received and construction begins, the government hopes to complete the project without delay. The underpass is expected to significantly improve the daily travel experience of passengers using Ambala Cantonment’s railway station and bus stand.

The project reflects the government’s focus on practical solutions to everyday problems faced by commuters. By reducing congestion and improving pedestrian safety, the underpass is likely to bring long-term benefits to both travellers and local residents.