Latest news with #Aerotropolis
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: 2,000 acre agri land in 12 Banur villages to be residential zones
The Punjab directorate of town and country planning is set to amend the Master Plan of Banur (2031). As per the official notice, around 2,000 acres of agricultural land across 12 villages will be reclassified into residential zones, marking a significant shift in the region's land use policy. A master plan is a critical planning tool that lays out the long-term vision for the physical, economic, and social development of an area. (HT photo for representation) The proposed reclassification includes land in the revenue estates of villages: Naugiari, Giga Majra, Hulka, Kalauli, Menda Majra, Mote Majra, Nadiali, Manakpur Kallar, Kurara, Tangori, Jnansli, and Sekhan Majra. The department has uploaded drawings and proposals on its official website: and asked the public to submit their suggestions and objections within 30 days. Banur, a historic town in Mohali district falls under the jurisdiction of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). Strategically located on the Chandigarh–Patiala National Highway, Banur is gaining prominence due to its proximity to Chandigarh International Airport and its inclusion in the extension of GMADA's Aerotropolis project. Officials say that the revised Master Plan will serve as a blueprint for urban expansion in the region and will cover a wide range of elements including regional frameworks, existing land conditions, development strategies, planning proposals, and infrastructure planning. 'The amended plan will also address urban growth management challenges, land-use conflicts, and infrastructure gaps arising from the rapid pace of development in the area. However, the proposed changes have raised concerns among local residents. Banur municipal council president Jagtar Singh Kamboj voiced his opposition to the move highlighting fears of vanishing farmlands and loss of agrarian identity. He said, 'We are going to lose our agricultural land. Once this amendment comes into effect, land prices will skyrocket. The situation may arise where even farmers will have to buy grains from other states.' Banur presents a unique case in terms of administrative jurisdiction. While its civil administration is under Mohali district, police matters fall under the Patiala district. A master plan is a critical planning tool that lays out the long-term vision for the physical, economic, and social development of an area. Officials say that the amendment will provide a comprehensive framework for the sustainable growth of urban and peri-urban spaces, ensuring balanced development that integrates infrastructure, land use, transportation, and environmental conservation. Historical significance of Banur Banur also carries historical weight. During Mughal rule, it was a flourishing town alongside its neighbouring settlement, Chatt. In 1709, Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur marched from Lohgarh and razed Banur to the ground. According to historical accounts, this was in retaliation against atrocities committed by the local Muslim rulers, who would reportedly seize and slaughter Hindu cattle in public. Banur's destruction was a part of Banda Singh Bahadur's campaign on his way to the Battle of Sirhind-Fatehgarh.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Only 15 out of 8,000 landowners come forward for GMADA land pooling plans
Greater Mohali Area Development Authority's (GMADA) plans to acquire 2,600 acres under the new land pooling policy for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development is facing stiff opposition with only 15 out of over 8,000 landowners consenting to participate. Several farmers have launched a protest, stating that the acquisition is forced and the compensation being offered to them is below prevailing market rates. Punjab housing and urban development minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, however, said the land acquisition will start within three to four months. (HT File) On July 7, farmers submitted a memorandum to chief minister Bhagwant Mann through the GMADA chief administrator, demanding an immediate rollback of the scheme and several panchayats have passed resolutions against land pooling. Punjab housing and urban development minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, however, said the land acquisition will start within three to four months. When asked about the poor response—only 15 applications—Mundian said he would 'check the data and revert,' but maintained that the new policy is designed for the farmers' benefit. Last month, GMADA's executive committee gave formal approval for acquiring 2,600 acres across Mohali – 236 acres in Sector 87 for commercial use, 313 acres in Sector 84 for institutional development, 321 acres in Sectors 101 and 103 for industrial projects, and 1,800 acres in Sectors 120 to 125 along the PR-7 road for residential development Harvinder Singh, lambardar of one of the villages that is against the plans, said, 'We are the rightful residents and cultivators of these lands. We do not consent to register our land with GMADA.' Farmers are also apprehensive in view of the past issues. They cited the Aerocity project, where land was acquired in 2009, but many landowners are yet to receive full compensation or plot allotments. 'If the government charges 18% interest for delayed payments from citizens, why aren't farmers compensated with interest for delays in allotments?' they stated in their memorandum. Protesters also accused GMADA of favouring private developers in past projects. In the case of the Aerotropolis project, they allege that land was handed over to builders and politically connected individuals, who are now selling luxury apartments at premium prices, while farmers were allotted plots in underdeveloped areas lacking even basic infrastructure. 'Private builders have built high-rises and are selling them at crores. We got nothing but barren land with no roads, sewerage, or electricity,' said a local farmer. The farmers further raised concerns about land acquired for Sectors 88 and 89 in 2011, claiming they were later allotted plots in Sectors 95-A and 95-B, which remain largely undeveloped. 'The booths and rooms allotted to us are unusable—we can't even rent them for another 15 years,' another protester added.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mohali farmers oppose govt's land pooling policy, demand rollback
Farmers from several villages in Mohali district staged a protest outside the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office on Monday, demanding the immediate roll back of the Punjab government's land pooling policy. The farmers alleged that GMADA was offering compensation far below prevailing market rates. They also raised concerns over unresolved grievances from past land acquisitions. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Agitated over what they termed an 'unjust and forceful acquisition' of their land, the villagers submitted a memorandum addressed to chief minister Bhagwant Mann through GMADA's chief administrator. Farmers from Patton, Siau, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi and Matran participated in the protest, asserting they would not surrender their agricultural land under any circumstances. 'We are the rightful residents and cultivators of our villages. We do not consent to register our land with GMADA,' said Harvinder Singh, Lambardar of one of the protesting villages. The farmers alleged that GMADA was offering compensation far below prevailing market rates. They also raised concerns over unresolved grievances from past land acquisitions. Citing the Aerocity project, they said land acquired in 2009 was yet to be fully compensated. 'If the government charges 18% interest on delayed payments from citizens, then why are farmers not paid interest for the delay in allotment?' the memorandum questioned. Protesters further alleged that land for the Aerotropolis project was transferred to private developers and influential individuals, while farmers were given plots in remote and underdeveloped sectors. 'Private builders have constructed luxury apartments and are selling them at premium rates. Meanwhile, we were allotted plots without even basic infrastructure,' said a protester. The farmers also highlighted issues with land acquired for Sectors 88 and 89 in 2011, which resulted in plot allocations in Sectors 95-A and 95-B—areas they claim remain undeveloped. 'The rooms and booths given to us are unusable. We cannot even rent them for another 15 years,' said another protester. Citing the IT City project and mixed land use approvals in Ghawarpur, Bhat, and Chau Majra, the protesters accused GMADA of profiting without compensating original landowners. They demanded that farmers be granted equal rights to develop their land and build high-rises and luxury housing on their land just like private developers. Referring to a past social media post by the chief minister, the farmers reminded, 'The chief minister himself assured that no farmer would be forced to part with land.' They demanded exclusion of their villages from the land pooling policy and Periphery Act, and inclusion under the Zirakpur municipal committee, warning that forced acquisition would only lead to conflict and distress.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmers refuse to part with land, oppose Pb govt plan
Mohali: In a show of strong resistance, farmers from several villages in Mohali district have come out against the Punjab govt's land pooling policy, refusing to hand over their land to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada). Farmers from Patton, Siaou, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi, and Matran villages reached the Gmada office Monday and submitted a memorandum addressed to CM Bhagwant Mann through the chief administrator of Gmada, voicing their stiff opposition. The farmers alleged that Gmada is offering landowners compensation far below prevailing market rates. "We are the rightful residents and tenants of our villages and do not consent to give our land to Gmada. We will not register our land in favour of the govt under any circumstance," said Harvinder Singh Lambardar as stated in their written appeal. Citing past experiences, the farmers said despite land being acquired for Aerocity in 2009, commercial plots have not been allotted to the original landowners even after 15 years. "While the govt charges 18% interest from citizens on delayed payments, the farmers have not received any interest or compensation for the delay in plot allotments," they claimed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5-year-old girl needs her second heart surgery! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo They further alleged that while prime land acquired for the ACTI (Aerotropolis) project was handed over to private builders and influential individuals, farmers were allocated plots in underdeveloped or remote areas. "These developers have constructed high-rise towers on that land and are selling apartments at premium prices, while farmers are left with plots where development hasn't even begun," the farmers added. Referring to sectors 88 and 89, the protesting farmers said land was acquired in 2011 but instead of being allotted plots in these sectors, farmers were shifted to sectors 95-A and 95-B — areas that remain underdeveloped for more than a decade. "These rooms and booths cannot even be rented for another 15 years, making them useless for us," said one of the farmers. In another example, they pointed to the IT City project where land was acquired in 2011, but commercial possession is yet to be granted even after 14 years. The farmers also objected to the way Gmada had planned and profited from mixed-land-use zoning. "In 2021, nearly 180 acres of prime land in villages like Ghawarpur, Bhat, and Chau Majra was designated for mixed use, valued at nearly Rs 18,000 crore — without Gmada spending a single rupee on acquisition," they claimed. Farmers accused Gmada of allowing builders to construct 8-12 storey buildings and 25-45 storey residential towers on land once owned by villagers, generating massive profits in the process. "If such construction is permitted for builders, farmers too should be allowed to build multi-storey buildings to receive the true value of their land," they demanded. They also cited examples of land prices in nearby areas like Zirakpur, Banur, and Kuhali where rates range from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore per acre, saying their own lands — being close to the airport — are even more valuable.
Daily Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
NSW Budget: $835m for Aerotropolis infrastructure
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News. The biggest fire station in Western Sydney, upgraded roads and new stormwater infrastructure will be major headline acts in next week's NSW Budget, as the Minns government injects more than $835 million into infrastructure in the Aerotropolis to support the new Western Sydney Airport. The investment package will include more than $150 million for upgrades to local roads across the Aerotropolis. More than 1000 green direction signs will be installed across Sydney to direct traffic to the area, along with new traffic lights and signals at the Elizabeth Drive and Luddenham Road intersection. The money will also go to planning three key routes along Devonshire Road, Devonshire Link Road and the Bradfield Metro Link Road. The new money will bring the total allocated in the upcoming budget to Aerotropolis road projects over four years to $2.7 billion, which is jointly funded with the Federal government. Renders of the new Badgerys Creek fire station. Picture: supplied Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the new road funding focused on the 'must-have priorities' to get the road network ready for the opening of the new airport. 'New and widened roads, intersections, safety upgrades – that will bust congestion in this growing area,' she said. The budget will also include $42.2 million to finish the Badgerys Creek fire station, which will be constructed on Adams Road in Luddenham, and will be the largest in Western Sydney when complete. The funding brings the total cost of the station to $57.6 million, including the recruiting of 52 new firefighters for the 24 hour station. The now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Picture: NewsWire Handout via WSIA Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said the position of the new station is designed to allow crews to easily respond to fires at the new airport when it opens towards the end of next year. 'The fire station's proximity to the airport means it can immediately respond and support aviation firefighters in any emergency,' he said. 'It's also a reflection of our ongoing commitment to firefighter wellbeing through modern design and safety-focused infrastructure.' Jeremy Fewtrell, the Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, said the position of the new station is designed to allow crews to easily respond to fires at the new airport when it opens towards the end of next year. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw Construction on the station will begin later this year, to be completed by the end of 2026. State-owned utility provider Sydney Water will also fund an additional $644 million in stormwater and recycled water infrastructure for the Aerotropolis, designed to service the 1,020-hectare Mamre Road industrial precinct, and kick-start water connections for 7,267 hectares of industrial land around the new Western Sydney Airport. Premier Chris Minns said enabling infrastructure in the Aerotropolis was critical. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard The funding will prioritise the building of naturalised channels and waterways instead of concrete pipes and drains in the area. It will also fund land acquisition for the development of new wetlands for the purposes of stormwater capture and harvesting. The $644 million was largely funded by infrastructure contribution fees paid by property developers with projects on the Mamre Road precinct. Premier Chris Minns said funding the enabling infrastructure was critical to unlocking 'the full potential of the Aerotropolis'. 'With billions of dollars now committed, we're not just talking about building a new airport—we're creating a connected, thriving region that will deliver jobs, homes and opportunity for generations to come,' he said.
