Curation Team
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.
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.
