Punjab now looks at Aerotropolis extension — the conventional way

Sources said that the government has set the ball rolling to conduct the social and environment impact study. In the voluntary land pooling policy, the government was faced with major criticism for not getting these studies done.

After the social and environment impact study, the government will invite objections from landowners and follow the procedure set down by the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

The Greater Mohali Area Development Aurthority (GMADA) and Punjab’s Housing Development department are waiting for the nod from the government to allow the permission to start the study, “Once permission is granted, the study will be handed to an institution. We would like to finish the project before December 2026, before this government’s term comes to an in March 2027. We are now following the procedure under the Parliament Act of 2013,” said a government functionary, adding that the 3,400-acre project is worth Rs 17,000 crore.

He added that after acquisition, the government plans to follow the land pooling policy alone. “Gone are the days when acquisition was done after paying cash. Now, the governments do not have money. With land pooling, both the governments and the landowners benefit. There will be no issue in this extension project as we have already banned sale and purchase of land in these areas and no registeries are being done,” he said.

Landowners will be given developed piece of plot and commercial space in lieu of every acre of land acquired. “The government will develop six more blocks in the residential project. Already A, B, C and D blocked have been developed but block A has not been developed yet due to alleged guava scam taking place on this land. The land is caught up in a Vigilance case now. Six more blocks including E,F,G,H,I and J will be developed.

Earlier, 1700 acres were already acquired under the land pooling in blocks A,B,C and D. The plot allottees will be required to pay to GMADA in instalments only. If all goes well, it could earn the government Rs 5,000 crore,” the functionary said.

The landpooling policy, announced by the government for over 45,000 acres of land was to be scrapped following protests from farmers and landowners. Under the policy, over 25,000 acres were to be acquired from Ludhiana alone. However, after the protest, the government had to withdraw the policy.

After the withdrawal the government was thinking of ways and means to acquire land. For the Aerotropolis project, it is following the tried and tested policy now. It remains to be seen what it is planning for the other cities, where the land was identified for pooling.

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