Punjab Initiates Land Acquisition. Photo Credit: The India Express
Punjab has formally initiated the process for what is being described as its largest land acquisition exercise, aiming to pool agricultural land across 158 villages under a new urban expansion strategy. The move, driven by the state’s vision to transform underdeveloped peri-urban regions into well-planned urban estates, will be carried out primarily through the land pooling model managed by the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and similar regional bodies.
According to The India Express , The land pooling initiative covers nearly 24,000 acres, primarily across Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Nawanshahr, and parts of Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar. According to official sources, the process is designed to be voluntary, allowing landowners to surrender their farmland in return for developed residential and commercial plots once infrastructure is built. State officials describe the project as a significant shift in urban development strategy, one that avoids forcible acquisition and encourages participatory planning.
Under the model being rolled out, the government will aggregate large land parcels for infrastructure and township development, and then reallocate a portion of the developed plots back to the original landowners. The remainder will be used to build roads, parks, schools, commercial hubs, and civic facilities. Officials believe this approach can ensure better land value realization for farmers while allowing the state to keep pace with growing urbanization demands.
The government has identified key areas for the first phase, including 57 villages in the Ludhiana district. A formal notification has already been issued for land pooling in these villages, and similar notifications are expected soon in Moga and Ferozepur. GLADA and other regional development authorities are currently in the process of conducting land surveys and consultations with village committees.
Officials have assured that all stakeholders, including farmers and local gram panchayats, will be part of the process. Documentation explaining the details of land pooling, including share ratios and timelines, is being circulated at the district level. Revenue officials and urban planning teams are being deployed to assist in plot demarcation, registration, and verification.
The state government maintains that this model offers several advantages over traditional acquisition. Not only does it aim to reduce litigation and displacement, but it also promises better long-term financial outcomes for landowners by offering them stakes in upcoming commercial corridors and residential zones. According to urban development authorities, the plots returned to landowners will be located within the developed layouts, complete with roads, drainage, water, electricity, and proximity to public infrastructure.
In a recent cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that land pooling was a progressive move to bring equity to urban expansion. He added that the project is designed to be inclusive and transparent, and no person would be forced to part with land unless they opt in with consent. He also instructed departments to maintain transparency in land valuations and allotment procedures.
While the program has sparked interest, its success will ultimately depend on smooth implementation and timely delivery of developed plots. As part of the next steps, GLADA will begin issuing notices to willing participants, followed by formal agreements and joint development timelines.
The state’s move to initiate land pooling at this scale is being seen as a long-term investment in infrastructure-led growth. If implemented efficiently, Punjab could set a precedent for other Indian states aiming to balance rapid urbanization with respect for agrarian landowners. Moreover, it is likely to reduce reliance on outright acquisition models that often face delays and disputes.
As Punjab moves ahead with this massive land pooling plan, the coming months will be critical in shaping its on-ground reception, effectiveness, and contribution to the state’s broader development vision.
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