Traffic Partially Restored at Shambhu Border After Year-Long Closure

Light vehicles now allowed to cross after barricades removed; heavy vehicles still restricted pending bridge safety inspection

Representational Image

March 21, 2025

Traffic has been partially restored at the Haryana-Punjab interstate Shambhu border on Thursday, providing major relief to commuters and local businesses after a year-long closure.

Following the clearing of the protest site by Punjab Police on Wednesday evening, Haryana Police began removing barricades that had sealed the border since February 10 last year. The Shambhu toll plaza had been fortified with cemented barricades, barbed wire, and heavy police deployment to prevent farmers from marching toward Delhi.

Teams from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and PWD (B&R) cleared the blockade using heavy machinery. Bridge safety consultants and district administration officials inspected the site to ensure the bridge structure remained sound during the removal of concrete slabs.

Heavy Vehicles Still Restricted

While light vehicles can now cross the border, SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said heavy vehicle traffic would only be allowed after receiving clearance from bridge safety consultants.

Business Impact

Vishal Batra, president of the Wholesale Cloth Market Association, welcomed the development: "The opening of Shambhu border has come as a respite for people of Ambala as well as traders and businessmen. The market has suffered a huge loss over the past one year and revival will take time. We are hopeful that the market will witness some good buying during the upcoming wedding season."

Ongoing Monitoring

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomer, SP Bhoria, and other district officials visited the border to oversee the clearance work. "A joint meeting was held with the Patiala administration regarding the situation," Bhoria said. "A close watch is being kept on the situation."

The Ambala police have issued notices to farmer leaders to appear before the Special Investigation Team regarding cases registered against them during last year's protest. Meanwhile, farmers have announced plans to burn effigies of the Punjab government in Haryana on Friday.