
Will Halwara airport push Punjab's land pooling policy forward?
The Punjab government's ambitious land pooling policy, which seeks to acquire over 24,000 acres across 44 villages in Ludhiana, falls in the vicinity of this upcoming airport. But whether the airport's launch will help the policy gain traction remains a contentious question – especially among farmers.
Many farmers are sceptical, viewing the timing of the inauguration as strategic, given the resistance to land acquisition.
'The timing is no coincidence,' said Didar Singh Malak, a farmer from Malak village in Jagraon constituency.
'But real farmers won't voluntarily join this policy. Maybe some realtors who bought land earlier will participate. Now that an airport is coming, this region will boom – why should we give up our land when there's no development timeline and no trust in the government?' he added.
Malak's concern is echoed by Balwinder Singh, a Ferozepur-based farmer whose ancestral land falls in Ballowal village, one of the affected areas.
'Over 1,800 objections have been filed by farmers from these villages,' he said.
The farmer then added, 'We want the government to declare how many have supported the policy, not just assume it. Farmers who fought the farm laws in 2020 are ready for another struggle. Halwara airport is a welcome step for development, but that doesn't mean we'll surrender our land.'
Sources said a few realtors have already handed over acquired land in Noorpur Bet village to the Punjab government under the land pooling framework for urban estate development.
The villages closest to Halwara airport include Birmi, Issewal, Dakha, Bhanohar, Baddowal, Gahaur, Threeke, Jhande, Hassanpur, Pamal, Narangwal, Jodhan, Rattan, Pamali, Rurka, and others – many of which fall directly under the land pooling policy radar.
Protests are heating up across the Jagraon constituency. Villagers are reportedly planning to burn effigies of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and MLA Sarabjit Kaur Manuke on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is mobilising farmers for a massive rally in Mullanpur on July 24, followed by tractor marches across all villages under the land pooling policy across Punjab on July 30.
In total, over 40,000 acres of land across Punjab are being targeted under this policy, with Ludhiana district alone contributing the lion's share of over 24,000 acres.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
23 minutes ago
- India.com
After Tiff, A Thaw: How India, Maldives Buried Differences To Make Ties Stronger
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the Maldives on Friday as a part of his second leg of the two-nation visit. PM Modi has been invited by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and will attend the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. He received a welcome from President Muizzu and senior ministers from the government upon his arrival. The Maldivian capital, Male, wore a festive look on Friday, adorned with large posters, colourful banners, and fluttering Indian flags, as the island nation geared up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his two-day state visit. However, just about 18 months ago, the same could not have been imagined. In January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep to promote domestic tourism did not go well with some Maldivian ministers, who not only mocked India but also disrespected Modi. This led to a huge uproar as the ties between the two nations plummeted further. Though the Maldivian government distanced itself from the statement and expelled the ministers, the hate for India stemmed from its President Mohamed Muizzu's poll campaign. Muizzu, who is considered close to China, led 'India Out' campaign in the run-up to the presidential polls. When he took reign of the Island nation, he forced around dozens of Indian personnel, who used to train Maldivian soldiers, out of the country, taking the bilateral ties and defence cooperation to a historic low. India's influence in the Indian Ocean island chain appeared to be at risk due to the increasing presence of China. A memorable welcome in Maldives. Strong ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2025 After wrapping up a five-day trip to China in January 2024, President Muizzu emphasized in a media interaction that although the Maldives is a small island nation, that doesn't give anyone the right to dominate or pressure it. He firmly stated that the Maldives is 'not in anyone's backyard.' A couple of months later, in March, he made it clear that no Indian military personnel — not even those in civilian attire — would remain in the Maldives beyond May 10, 2024. By early May, India complied with the deadline, withdrawing its troops entirely and replacing them with technical staff as part of a mutual understanding. Relations between India and the Maldives took a positive turn when President Muizzu visited India on a state trip in October 2024. His visit came at a time when the Maldives was grappling with a mounting debt crisis and a growing fiscal deficit, raising concerns about a potential default. During his meeting with Indian leaders in New Delhi, a significant breakthrough came in the form of a $750 million currency swap agreement, valid until 2027, aimed at easing the Maldives' foreign exchange challenges. The two nations also issued a joint 'vision statement' outlining plans for a broad-based partnership covering economic cooperation and maritime security. Further strengthening the support, India extended a $50 million treasury bill in May 2025 to help the Maldives boost its foreign reserves and stabilize its economy. India and the Maldives have long shared a strong relationship shaped by their close geographical proximity, cultural ties, and mutual support during times of crisis. With only about 70 nautical miles separating India's southernmost islands from the northern Maldives, the island nation plays a key role in India's maritime security in the southern Indian Ocean. Over the years, India has supported the Maldives through medical aid, training programs, infrastructure projects, and emergency assistance. To maintain momentum in their development agenda, the two countries established High-Level Core Group Meetings (HLCGMs). These regular meetings have helped resolve diplomatic challenges and ensure smooth implementation of agreements—starting with the troop replacement deal and now focusing on pushing forward the joint Vision statement. India has also remained a steady partner in enhancing the Maldives' maritime capabilities by assisting with coastal radar systems, naval training, and surveillance — all in line with its broader Indian Ocean security strategy. In May 2025, the two nations held joint disaster response exercises, reflecting their shared commitment under the MAHASAGAR regional cooperation framework. Given the Maldives' strategic position along vital international shipping routes, its stability and collaboration are essential to India's maritime interests. For President Muizzu, the advantages of working closely with India have become more evident after a year of exploring alternative partnerships.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
PM Modi and Maldives President Muizzu hold delegation-level talks in Malé
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday on a two-day visit, during which he will attend the archipelago nation's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the chief guest. PM Modi was received on arrival by President Mohamed Muizzu. The two leaders are also scheduled to hold extensive talks during the trip. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Republic Square in Male. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu accompanied PM Modi at the venue, where the national anthems of both India and Maldives were played. PM Modi received a 21-gun salute at the ceremonial welcome. Children performed a dance at the venue. PM Modi met with the ministers and officials of the Maldivian Cabinet at Republic Square. Meanwhile The ministry of defence building in the Maldivian capital displayed a giant photograph of PM Modi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi hoped that strong ties between both the nations will greatly benefit the people. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, 'Landed in Male. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come.' He is visiting the island nation at the invitation of Muizzu and will attend the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the country as the Guest of Honour. PM Modi was welcomed with a ceremonial reception at Male's Velana International Airport. In a special gesture, President Muizzu personally received him on arrival, and the two leaders greeted each other with a warm hug. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi will be participating as 'Guest of Honour' at the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives. In a post on X, he said, 'PM Narendra Modi lands in Male, Maldives to a ceremonial welcome. In a special gesture, President Mohamed Muizzu and his Cabinet members received PM at the airport. This is the 3rd visit by PM to Maldives. PM will be participating as 'Guest of Honour' at the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'All show, no substance': Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on PM Modi
In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he has met the PM in person a few times and found him "all show and no substance". Gandhi made the remarks while addressing a 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' of OBCs at the Talkatora Stadium . Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence healthcare Management Cybersecurity Data Analytics Data Science others Design Thinking MBA MCA Product Management Data Science Degree Leadership Others Digital Marketing Project Management Healthcare Technology Finance Public Policy CXO PGDM Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details It was the media, he said, that had "inflated" the prime minister's "balloon" and there was not much substance in him. "You know what is the biggest problem in politics ... No, Narendra Modi is not a big problem," he said, responding to a voice in the crowd. "Main aapko bata raha hoon, ye aapne apne sir pe chadha rakha hai, ye koi problem nahi hai. Ye jo media wale hain inhone iska gubbara bana rakha hai. Ye koi problem nahi hai. (I am telling you, you have given him too much importance, he is not a problem)," the Congress leader said. Live Events "Earlier, I had not met him, but now I have met him 2-3 times. Now I understand there is nothing - he is all show, no substance. You have not met him, I have," Gandhi said. Addressing the gathering, Gandhi also urged OBC youth to realise their strength. "My biggest complaint from OBC youth is that they don't understand their strength. Once they understand their strength, the whole scenario will change," he said. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )