The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has taken a major step toward expanding New Chandigarh, clearing the decks for the Eco City-3 project with the acquisition of 716 acres of land spread across nine villages. With the Land Acquisition Collector announcing the compensation award on Tuesday, the authority is now set to take possession of the land, bringing a long-pending process closer to execution.
The acquisition has been carried out under Section 19 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Officials said the announcement of the award legally enables GMADA to move ahead with possession of the land and initiate development work for the Eco City-3 project.
Land from nine villages has been included in the acquisition. Takipur accounts for the largest share at 317.3 acres, followed by Kansala with 169 acres and Kartarpur with 93.6 acres. Other villages covered under the award include Hoshiarpur (59 acres), Rajgarh (42.1 acres), Majra (6 acres), Salamatpur (6.7 acres), Rasulpur (2.06 acres) and Dhodemajra (0.3 acre).
Compensation rates vary across villages, reflecting differences in land valuation. According to GMADA, landowners in Salamatpur will receive the highest compensation at Rs 6.46 crore per acre, followed closely by Dhodemajra at Rs 6.40 crore per acre and Rasulpur at Rs 5.91 crore per acre. In Kansala, compensation has been fixed at Rs 5.46 crore per acre, while Kartarpur landowners will receive Rs 5.43 crore per acre. Rates in Takipur stand at Rs 4.99 crore per acre, Hoshiarpur at Rs 4.98 crore per acre, and both Rajgarh and Majra at Rs 4.27 crore per acre.
Officials said the land valuation was determined on the basis of average sale registrations recorded in the respective villages over the past three years, in line with statutory norms. The disbursement of compensation will begin immediately, they added.
In addition to monetary compensation, GMADA has offered landowners the option of land pooling, a policy designed to give farmers a long-term stake in the project. Under this scheme, landowners can opt to receive 1,000 square yards of residential space and 200 square yards of commercial space for every acre of land acquired. Alternatively, those not opting for commercial space can receive 1,600 square yards of residential space per acre. Farmers interested in land pooling will need to submit their applications within 120 days.
To further ease the transition, GMADA will issue convenience certificates to landowners, allowing them exemption from stamp duty for the registration of agricultural land purchased anywhere in Punjab within two years. Farmers will also be eligible for an electricity connection for agricultural purposes and an annual subsistence allowance of Rs 25,000.
Compensation will also be provided for trees, houses, and other structures located on the acquired land. With the award now announced and payouts set to roll out, officials say the Eco City-3 project is poised to move into the next phase, marking another milestone in the planned expansion of New Chandigarh.
