GMADA's land pooling policy faces major setback in Mohali

Time of India

3 days ago

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Mohali: The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority's (GMADA) ambitious land pooling policy faced a near-total rejection in Mohali, with only 51 applications received from nearly 8,000 eligible landowners after a two-month campaign aimed at acquiring 2,600 acres for urban development.
The scheme, aimed at regulated expansion across Sectors 84, 87, 101–103, and 120–124 along the PR-7 road, has met with strong resistance from local farmers and political parties alike. Protests have already been held by the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal is set to launch a similar agitation in the coming days.
Farmer groups from villages such as Patton, Siaou, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi, and Matran have submitted a formal memorandum to chief minister Bhagwant Mann, opposing the policy.
According to GMADA officials, only 45 farmers from Mohali district submitted applications under the scheme, highlighting the overwhelming lack of interest. The land pooling policy was launched to acquire land for planned commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential projects.
GMADA maintains that the move is critical to curbing unauthorised colonies that are rapidly emerging on agricultural land, particularly in villages such as Daun, Raipur, Behlolpur, Barmajra, Tarauli, and Jhampur, where illegal developments reportedly spanned over 50 acres.
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The landowners of Mullanpur, where Eco-City-III is proposed and for which land is to be acquired, also rejected the policy, terming it anti-farmer, especially for those having small chunks of land. The policy is beneficial for those holding larger chunks of land.
"GMADA is offering compensation far below market value. We are the rightful owners of our land and will not part with it on these terms," said Harvinder Singh Lambardar, a farmer leader representing the agitating landowners.
He accused the govt of attempting to dispossess small and marginal farmers for the benefit of big developers, calling the policy "exploitative and unfair." Farmers have also alleged that coercive tactics are being used, including police pressure, to compel them into joining the land pooling scheme.
"Many of us with less than five acres stand to lose the most, while the bigger landholders benefit," said another protesting farmer.
Action Ordered Against Illegal Colonies
Concerned about the rapid mushrooming of such unauthorised colonies, GMADA's chief administrator has ordered officials to submit a report within two days, identifying violations and fixing responsibility. The use of Google satellite imagery has also been approved to trace illegal constructions and initiate action against violators. The administration has made it clear that no Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions will be granted to private developers in the earmarked zones.
Political and Administrative Fallout
A senior GMADA officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the poor response to the scheme. "We tried to convince farmers, but only 51 showed interest initially. The sentiment is very negative," the officer said. As opposition parties intensify their protests and public backlash grows, the future of GMADA's land pooling policy in Mohali remains uncertain and politically sensitive.
With participation numbers failing to pick up, the administration may soon have to re-evaluate the policy or consider alternative land acquisition models that take into account the concerns of the farming community.
GMADA's acquisition plans
- 236 acres in Sector 87 for commercial purposes,
- 313 acres in Sector 84 for institutional use,
- 321 acres in Sectors 101 to 103 for industrial projects
- 1,800 acres in Sectors 120 to 124 along the PR-7 road for residential development.
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