Mohali steps out of Chandigarh’s shadow: From sleepy suburb to thriving metropolis

Today, Mohali sits at the crossroads of education, technology, real estate and lifestyle economies. It thrives not merely because of its proximity to Chandigarh, but because it has steadily built an ecosystem of its own.

Education cluster

One of Mohali’s most visible success stories is its emergence as a knowledge and education hub. Institutions such as the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research first put the city on India’s academic map, paving the way for both public and private players.

The district today hosts multiple universities including Amity University, Rayat Bahra University, Ashoka University and Plaksha University, along with centres of excellence such as the Indian School of Business and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. Students from across the country and overseas now call Mohali home, lending the city a distinctly youthful and cosmopolitan character.

This growth is anchored in the Education City project, envisaged as a 1,700-acre learning destination offering land to global institutions across disciplines ranging from engineering and pharmaceuticals to media and hospitality. With residential, commercial and academic clusters planned together, the project aims to position Mohali as a global learning hub rather than just a student town.

Mohali’s identity has evolved sharply over the decades. Conceived as a village in the 1960s, it was later planned as an industrial town and then transitioned into a satellite city. In 2002, during the tenure of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the state introduced the Mega Project Policy, offering incentives to projects spread over at least 100 acres. This opened the door for developers such as DLF, Emaar, MGF and Ansal, who brought large-scale housing projects and accelerated urbanisation.

Retail and lifestyle infrastructure followed. As many as seven malls have come up across the city, including CP-67, Jubilee Walk, Mohali Walk, Bestech, North Country Mall, Downtown and HLP Galleria. While North Country Mall has since been repurposed, with a super-speciality hospital coming up there, the larger shift towards mixed-use development reflects changing urban priorities. Mohali is also set to house the tallest building in the northern region, a 43-floor structure that signals the city’s vertical growth.

IT, innovation and business pulse

While Chandigarh’s IT footprint has remained modest compared to larger tech hubs, Mohali has quietly carved out a niche. The IT City initiative has anchored technology parks and innovation clusters, attracting startups as well as established firms. At one point, government estimates pegged IT sector growth here at nearly 30 per cent, creating thousands of jobs and reinforcing the city’s technology credentials.

The IT City initiative has anchored technology parks and innovation clusters, attracting startups as well as established firms. (Express Photo by Jasbir Malhi)

Corporate confidence was underscored in 2025 when global IT services firm Infosys announced a Rs 300-crore expansion of its Mohali campus, citing the availability of skilled manpower and improving infrastructure.

Booming real estate and growing pains

Mohali has seen a sharp real estate boom, particularly in sectors 66 and 67, along Airport Road and in New Chandigarh. Prices have risen steadily, drawing investors and homebuyers looking for modern housing, gated communities and luxury apartments. Local industry groups point to hundreds of registered builders and dozens of ongoing projects, with expansion expected to continue.

Mohali has seen a sharp real estate boom, particularly in sectors 66 and 67, along Airport Road and in New Chandigarh. (Express Photo by jasbir Malhi)

The growth, however, has brought familiar urban challenges. Traffic congestion, pressure on water and power supply, deteriorating road conditions and law and order concerns have become common complaints. Residents speak of water shortages during peak summers and a rise in snatching and other street crimes.

A sporting hub

The city has also emerged as a centre for sports. With at least 11 sports complexes, several equipped with Olympic-standard swimming pools, and a world-class cricket stadium, Mohali has built a strong sporting infrastructure. The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, which hosted international matches from the early 1990s, played a pivotal role in putting the city on the national map, bringing with it hotel investments and a thriving hospitality economy.

From a peripheral township to a self-sustaining urban centre, Mohali’s journey reflects both the promise and pressures of rapid growth. (Express Photo by Jasbir Malhi)

From a peripheral township to a self-sustaining urban centre, Mohali’s journey reflects both the promise and pressures of rapid growth. The challenge now lies in managing that momentum without losing the liveability that first drew people to the city.