The Punjab Government has taken a landmark decision to simultaneously develop villages that surrender their agricultural land for the ongoing 11,103-acre land acquisition drive across Greater Mohali and New Chandigarh. The in-principle commitment, made at a high-level meeting, ensures that villages become equal partners in urbanisation rather than being left behind after land acquisition.
Key Provisions of the Decision
Common village facilities such as government schools, panchayat schools, parks, and dispensaries will be fully exempt from land acquisition. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) will integrate village sewerage, water supply, and drainage systems with its own infrastructure. Village roads will be constructed by all concerned departments, with GMADA providing critical gap funding to prevent stalling.
Houses along the traditional boundary road, or "phirni," will be completely exempt from acquisition, preserving each village's physical identity. Houses in agricultural fields outside the abadi and beyond the phirni that fall within the planning area will be relocated by GMADA.
Three-Year Completion Deadline
For the first time, the government has set a fixed three-year deadline for all development works, starting from the date of acquisition award and physical possession of land by GMADA. This applies to all projects within the 11,103-acre drive.
Government's Stance
"The meeting concluded with a consensus that the above proposals are necessary to address the genuine concerns of farmers and to reinforce their role as partners in the development process," a top government functionary said.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized the government's commitment: "For the first time, we are not just acquiring land, we are making a promise to every village that gives us that land — we will develop your village in the same breath that we develop the township around it. Not after. Not someday. Within three years. That is not a policy — that is a guarantee. And this government keeps its guarantees to its kisans."
Background
The decision addresses long-standing demands from farmers affected by the acquisition across Greater Mohali and New Chandigarh. Sarpanches in the Aerotropolis belt had repeatedly pressed for preserving village facilities. A formal notification is expected shortly.
