Mohali:
Mohali’s planned expansion is entering another important phase, with the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) moving ahead with land acquisition for major commercial and industrial developments in Sectors 87, 101 and 103.
The three sectors are being planned for different but complementary economic activities. Sector 87 is being developed as a dedicated commercial destination, while land in Sectors 101 and 103 is being taken up for industrial development. Together, the projects are expected to strengthen Mohali’s business and employment infrastructure and create new areas for organised economic growth.
GMADA’s recent public notices show that the land acquisition process for all three sectors is progressing. The authority has issued notices relating to the acquisition of land for commercial infrastructure in Sector 87 and industrial parks in Sectors 101 and 103.
For Sector 87, GMADA is looking at around 236 acres for commercial development. The land falls across areas associated with Sohana, Manak Majra, Nanu Majra and surrounding villages. The proposed development is significant because Mohali currently does not have a single large, dedicated commercial district comparable in scale and identity to Chandigarh’s established commercial centres.
The proposed Sector 87 commercial zone could eventually accommodate a range of business and commercial activities, creating a more concentrated destination for offices, retail, services and other economic uses. The objective is to guide development through planned infrastructure rather than allowing commercial activity to expand in an unorganised manner along existing roads.
The authority is also progressing with plans for industrial development in Sectors 101 and 103. Around 321 acres have been earmarked across the two sectors for industrial purposes, with the land spread across areas including Dhurali and Saneta.
The proposed industrial development is expected to provide additional space for manufacturing, logistics and other permitted industrial activities. Its location within the wider Mohali growth belt also gives the project strategic importance because of its links with major roads and the city’s expanding commercial and technology areas.
The development of these sectors forms part of a much larger urban expansion plan for Mohali. GMADA had previously approved a broad programme covering about 2,600 acres across several parts of the city for commercial, institutional, industrial and residential development. The wider plan also includes institutional development in Sector 84 and residential expansion along the PR-7 corridor.
A major objective behind the planned acquisition is to ensure that Mohali’s future expansion takes place through properly planned sectors and infrastructure. Rapid growth around the city has also resulted in concerns over unauthorised colonies and unplanned development, making regulated land use an increasingly important issue for the authorities.
The new commercial and industrial sectors could also have a wider economic impact. Planned business districts can attract private investment, while industrial areas can create space for new enterprises and generate direct and indirect employment. Better organised infrastructure can also improve access to utilities, roads and other essential services for businesses.
However, land acquisition remains a sensitive issue, particularly for farmers and other landowners whose properties fall within proposed development areas. The process therefore involves statutory notices and opportunities for affected parties to raise objections in accordance with the applicable land acquisition framework.
The current acquisition notices indicate that the projects are moving through the formal administrative process rather than being immediate construction projects. Development of the sectors will require further stages, including acquisition proceedings, planning, infrastructure development and necessary approvals before the proposed commercial and industrial areas become fully operational.
For Mohali, the significance of the projects lies in the direction of future growth. Instead of concentrating all commercial and industrial activity within already developed areas, the expansion plan seeks to create new economic zones on the city’s developing edges.
Sector 87, in particular, could emerge as an important commercial centre if the proposed development is executed as planned. Sectors 101 and 103, meanwhile, could add a new industrial component to Mohali’s economic base and provide additional opportunities for businesses looking for planned industrial space.
As GMADA continues the acquisition process, the next phase will determine how quickly these plans translate into on-ground infrastructure. The development of roads, utilities and other supporting facilities will be crucial to turning the identified land parcels into functioning commercial and industrial corridors.
The three-sector push nevertheless signals a clear shift towards planned economic expansion, with Mohali preparing additional land for businesses and industry as the city continues to grow as one of Punjab’s major urban and economic centres.
