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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GMADA's land pooling policy faces major setback in Mohali
1 2 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo 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. MSID: 122862229 413 |
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Only 15 out of 8,000 villagers opt for land pooling in Mohali, farmers protest Gmada policy
1 2 Mohali: The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada)'s ambitious land pooling scheme has faced a near-complete rejection from local landowners, with only 15 villagers out of nearly 8,000 opting in, despite a two-month window to acquire 2,600 acres of land. The scheme has sparked widespread protests among farmers across several villages in Mohali district. Gmada had invited applications from landowners under its land pooling policy to acquire land across various sectors for commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential development. However, the scheme received a poor response, with farmers outright rejecting the proposal. "We have a very poor response to the land pooling option. We are trying to convince landowners, but only 15 have come forward so far," said a senior Gmada officer, requesting anonymity. As per the plan, 236 acres will be acquired in Sector 87 for commercial purposes, 313 acres in Sector 84 for institutional projects, and 321 acres in Sectors 101 to 103 for industrial use. The largest chunk — 1,800 acres — will be acquired in sectors 120 to 124 along the PR-7 road for residential development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The move is aimed at curbing the rampant growth of unauthorised colonies and ensuring regulated urban expansion. Gmada has already stated that no Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions will be granted to private developers in the designated areas. Several unauthorised colonies have already sprung up across nearly 50 acres in villages such as Daun, Raipur, Behlolpur, Barmajra, Tarauli, and Jhampur—mostly carved out of agricultural land without official approvals. The GMADA chief administrator has directed officials to submit a report within two days fixing responsibility for these violations and to use Google satellite imagery to detect and act against illegal constructions. Meanwhile, farmers from villages including Patton, Siaou, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi, and Matran have submitted a memorandum to chief minister Bhagwant Mann through Gmada's chief administrator, opposing the land pooling policy. "Gmada is offering compensation far below market rates. We are the rightful tenants of our villages and will not part with our land. We refuse to register our land in favour of the government," said Harvinder Singh Lambardar, speaking on behalf of the protesting farmers. The policy has triggered strong resistance across the region, with farmers alleging that it favours large landowners while marginal landholders — particularly those with plots under five acres — stand to lose the most. Many have also accused the administration of deploying police pressure to coerce participation. WHAT GMADA WANTS 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 PR-7 road for residential development
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.
