The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is facing strong resistance from farmers over its new land pooling policy. GMADA had planned to acquire 2,600 acres of land across Mohali for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional use. However, out of more than 8,000 landowners, only 15 have agreed to be part of the scheme.
Farmers claim that the land pooling is being done forcefully and that the compensation offered is below the market rate. Many farmers and village panchayats have come out in protest and are demanding that the scheme be rolled back immediately.
On July 7, a group of farmers submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann through GMADA’s chief administrator. In the memorandum, they demanded that the government withdraw the scheme without delay. Several panchayats have also passed official resolutions opposing the land pooling policy.
Farmers are concerned that once they give up their land, they will either be undercompensated or not receive developed plots in return. They have referred to past land acquisition projects, where many promises were allegedly not kept.
Last month, GMADA’s executive committee gave final approval to acquire 2,600 acres in different sectors of Mohali. These include:
236 acres in Sector 87 for commercial development
313 acres in Sector 84 for institutional purposes
321 acres in Sectors 101 and 103 for industrial projects
1,800 acres in Sectors 120 to 125 along the PR-7 road for residential use
Despite the low response from landowners, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that land acquisition will begin within three to four months. When asked about the poor response, he said he would review the data but added that the scheme was created for the benefit of the farmers.
Farmers argue that their past experiences with GMADA have not been good. For example, they mentioned the Aerocity project, where land was acquired in 2009, but many landowners are still waiting for compensation or plot allotments.
They questioned the government’s double standards: “If citizens are charged 18% interest on late payments, why is there no interest given to farmers for delayed compensation or plot allotment?”
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Protesting farmers also alleged that GMADA’s past projects have favoured private developers. In the Aerotropolis project, they claim land was handed over to politically connected builders, who are now selling luxury apartments at very high prices.
Meanwhile, the farmers who gave their land were allotted underdeveloped plots with no roads, water, or electricity. One farmer said, “Builders are making crores, but we got barren land without any infrastructure.”
Farmers also expressed frustration over the acquisition of land for Sectors 88 and 89 in 2011. They said they were promised land in those sectors but were instead given plots in Sectors 95-A and 95-B, which are still not developed.
Another farmer said, “The booths and small rooms given to us are in such bad condition that we can’t even rent them for the next 15 years. They are of no use to us.”
The farmers are not just asking for better compensation—they want fair treatment and proper development of the plots they are being promised. They feel that the government is ignoring their rights while helping rich developers.
The land pooling scheme by GMADA is facing serious opposition in Mohali. With only 15 out of 8,000 landowners agreeing to participate, the future of the project is uncertain. Farmers have clearly said that they will not give up their land unless they are guaranteed fair compensation, developed plots, and proper infrastructure.
Unless these concerns are addressed, the plan to acquire 2,600 acres for large-scale development may not succeed. The government now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with the farming community before moving forward.
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