Mullanpur project: 20% plots may be kept for auction

The move mulled by GMADA,if approved by the CM,will further reduce the chances of applicants as it will lead to a reduction of 170 plots from the 850 which were are currently left. Even the leftover 680 plots would be further reserved for various categories. Previously,the the Punjab government had decided to restrict Mullanpur Urban Estate,Phase 1,to Punjab and Chandigarh residents only.

Under the scheme,GMADA will offer freehold residential plots of various sizes in Mullanpur,located 7 km from PGI. The Mullanpur Urban estate was originally planned to have a total of 2,704 plots but due to most of the landowners opting for land pooling scheme only 850 plots are currently left. The latest move is sure to disappoint prospective applicants as the area is located very close to Chandigarh,with the Shivalik Hills in the vicinity.

Landowners in Mullanpur whose lands were acquired for the project were offered Rs. 1.3 crore per acre compensation by GMADA but even this amount was shunned by the farmers in favour of the land pooling scheme. The date of the final meeting has not been decided but the project looks set to be launched after the SGPC elections and is just waiting for a final clearance from its chairman,Prakash Singh Badal. Many feel the scheme will be floated at the fag end of September.

Under the scheme,a person can various plot sizes that will be offered to applicants are 100,200,300,400,500 and 1,000 square yards. An applicant can apply for any either of the categories. The authorities have also decided to reduce the price of 100 sq yard plot to Rs 15,000 per sq yard from the previously decided 17,000 sq yards,as it will be generally applied for by the weaker segment.

When contacted,Land Acquisition Officer (GMADA) Hargunjit Kaur said,“Yes,there is a proposal to reserve 20 percent of plots for auctioning purposes. The meeting with the CM which was supposed to be held today has been postponed. This is a proposal from our side and the final formal nod from the Chief Minister is due.”

The scheme is expected to be a hit among people of both Punjab and Chandigarh. People who have residential proof of Punjab but are settled abroad too are expected to apply for the scheme in large numbers,considering its location in the vicinity of Chandigarh. People who already own a plot or flat developed by the Punjab and UT government agencies will not be considered eligible under the scheme.