🔴 Villages Push Back Against ₹15,000-Crore Urban Expansion Plan
In a significant standoff between landowners and authorities, farmers from 13 villages in Mohali district—such as Patton, Siaou, Matran, Manak Majra, Dapper, and Kurari—have strongly opposed GMADA’s (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) new land acquisition and pooling policy.
The Punjab government, through GMADA, is trying to acquire 2,600 acres of land across the Mohali urban belt to support residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development. This is part of a mega plan to curb unauthorized colonies and bring structured expansion to the tri-city region.
🧑🌾 Why Are Farmers Refusing?
The farmers say they’re being offered less compensation, and their past experiences with GMADA have left them distrustful. Key reasons for their protest include:
- Unfulfilled promises from earlier land acquisitions (e.g., Aerocity, IT City, Eco City), where landowners were promised plots or shares but faced delays and poor allotments.
- High-handedness in planning, where private developers allegedly get priority in land approvals, while locals suffer delays.
- Livelihood risk: Many of the affected lands are cultivable and are the farmers’ primary source of income.
- Skewed development returns: Farmers say they’re being asked to part with prime real estate without a fair share in the returns from high-end housing and commercial projects.
“We gave land for Aerocity years ago, but many are still waiting for compensation or developed plots,” said a farmer from Dapper village during a recent panchayat gathering.
🏛️ Legal & Political Heat
- The farmers are planning to move court, and several village panchayats have passed resolutions opposing GMADA’s proposal.
- Farmer unions and activists from nearby districts like Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala have also joined in solidarity.
- Local MLAs and opposition leaders are being approached to raise the matter in the Punjab assembly.
📜 What is GMADA Offering?
GMADA claims that:
- Farmers will benefit from the land-pooling policy, where instead of cash compensation, landowners get a share of developed plots (up to 1,200 sq yards per acre).
- Landowners also get priority in commercial plot allotments, higher resale value, and basic infrastructure like roads, sewage, and electricity.
But farmers counter that the delays in plot development and inequitable allotment practices render this promise meaningless.
🏗️ Implications on Development
Real estate prices in Kharar, Landran, and Airport Road are seeing a temporary freeze in speculative buying due to uncertainty.
Delays in land acquisition may stall several strategic real estate projects in IT City Phase 3, Aerotropolis sectors, New Chandigarh link roads, and industrial corridors.
Private developers are cautious, waiting for clarity on land status before launching new residential schemes.
