India, Jan. 1 -- The dream of a five-minute dash to the terminal is moving into its final stretch. While 2025 focused on the heavy lifting of land acquisition and civil engineering, 2026 begins with the 8.5-km alternate airport route entering its finishing phase. By bypassing the perennially congested PR-7 road and Zirakpur bottlenecks, this Rs.125-crore corridor is set to change travel to airport. What it means: This route is more than just a shortcut; it is a critical relief valve for the entire tricity traffic ecosystem. By slashing travel distance from Tribune Chowk by nearly 7 km, it effectively decouples airport traffic from the heavy interstate logistics of the Zirakpur-Ambala highway. The decision to prioritise the railway underpass and bridge construction ensures that once the route opens, it will provide a seamless, signal-free experience. What next: Construction is now in high gear for the double-lane railway underpass and the N-choe bridge, with a definitive completion target of March 31, 2026. In the coming weeks, commuters will see the installation of smart signage and LED lighting along the motorable sections....