Mohali traders seek permission to build first floor on existing booths

Under the draft Punjab Unified Building Rules, booth owners can currently construct only the ground floor. The association argued this is “unrealistic for small traders in today’s economic environment,” pointing out that inflation and rising land costs prevent shopkeepers from purchasing additional plots.

“Allowing construction of the first floor will give a big relief to small businessmen,” the delegation emphasised, citing the example of Panchkula where HUDA has already permitted complete first-floor construction, charging nearly Rs 3.9 lakh per booth.

According to the association, Mohali has about 2,980 booths and 390 single-storey shops in phases 1–11 and Sectors 37–71. If GMADA/PUDA adopts a similar policy, the government could collect around Rs 130 crore in fees and an additional Rs 32 crore through map-approval charges.

“This decision will not only address a long-standing demand of shopkeepers but also generate massive revenue for the state,” the association stressed. They also pointed out that the GMADA itself had earlier allotted two-storey booths in several sectors, making the demand legitimate and overdue.

Those present during the meeting included Rajiv Tandon, Ashok Narang, Vikas Kumar, and Harleen Singh Sethi.