GMADA Advances Strategic Land Acquisition for Sector 87 Commercial City and Industrial Sectors

Mohali: The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is moving ahead with a major land acquisition and planned development programme covering Sectors 87, 101 and 103, as Mohali prepares for further commercial and industrial expansion.

The three sectors have been identified for different economic purposes. Sector 87 is planned as a major commercial development, while Sectors 101 and 103 are being developed for industrial activities. The projects form part of a wider urban expansion strategy aimed at creating planned economic zones, improving infrastructure and supporting future investment in the Mohali region.

The planned development has gained momentum in 2026, with land acquisition proceedings moving through different statutory stages. Recent reports indicate that Section 11 notifications have been issued for the proposed commercial Sector 87 and industrial Sectors 101 and 103, following completion of the required social impact assessment process.

Sector 87 Planned as Major Commercial Centre

Sector 87 is being planned as a significant commercial destination for Mohali. The state government has proposed developing the sector on the lines of Chandigarh’s Sector 17, with the objective of creating a more organised commercial centre for the growing city.

Recent government notifications have identified around 196.4 acres across Manakmajra, Nanumajra, Sohana and Sambhalki as a resettlement area connected with the proposed commercial infrastructure in Sector 87. The notification was published in the Punjab Government Gazette and uploaded on the GMADA website in March 2026.

The proposed commercial zone could provide space for offices, retail establishments, business services and other permitted commercial activities. A dedicated commercial centre could also help distribute economic activity more systematically as Mohali continues to expand beyond its existing developed sectors.

The concept is particularly significant because Mohali’s commercial growth has traditionally been spread across different sectors and major roads. A planned commercial hub in Sector 87 could create a more clearly defined business destination with organised roads, utilities and supporting infrastructure.

Industrial Expansion in Sectors 101 and 103

Alongside Sector 87, GMADA is also moving forward with plans for industrial development in Sectors 101 and 103.

The broader acquisition plan identifies these sectors for industrial development, with recent reports putting the combined area under acquisition at around 509 acres for the new commercial Sector 87 and industrial Sectors 101 and 103.

For Sector 103, the government has notified approximately 171 acres in Dhurali and Saneta villages as a resettlement area for acquiring land for an Industrial Park. The rehabilitation and resettlement scheme was approved in May 2026 and includes provisions for affected families and eligible persons whose livelihoods are impacted by the acquisition.

Sector 101 is also part of the industrial expansion programme. GMADA’s development plans identify Sector 101 and Sector 103 as industrial estates, while separate acquisition proceedings are underway for portions of the planned industrial development.

The proposed industrial areas could eventually accommodate manufacturing units, logistics operations and other permissible industrial activities. Their development is expected to create additional planned industrial space as demand for business and employment infrastructure increases across the Mohali region.

Land Acquisition Moves Through Formal Process

The current developments do not mean that all three sectors are immediately ready for construction. Land acquisition involves multiple statutory stages, including notifications, social impact assessment where applicable, objections, rehabilitation and resettlement measures, compensation proceedings and subsequent development planning.

The latest progress indicates that the projects are moving through the formal acquisition framework rather than being completed infrastructure projects. Further work will be required before roads, utilities and other facilities are developed on the acquired land.

The process also involves affected landowners and communities. For the Sector 87 commercial project, authorities have provided an opportunity for landowners and other stakeholders to raise objections following the notification of the resettlement area.

Focus on Rehabilitation and Resettlement

Land acquisition for large urban projects can significantly affect farmers, landowners and families dependent on agricultural land. As a result, rehabilitation and resettlement has become an important component of the ongoing acquisition process.

For the Sector 103 industrial project, the approved rehabilitation and resettlement framework includes options and financial provisions for affected families. Officials have also indicated provisions relating to stamp duty, registration charges and compensation for loss of livelihood in accordance with the applicable land acquisition framework.

The government has also been revising its land-pooling and landowner benefit policies. Under the amended policy, landowners affected by certain industrial, institutional and mixed-use projects may have options involving developed residential and commercial plots instead of relying solely on cash compensation, subject to the applicable rules.

Part of a Much Larger Mohali Expansion Plan

The development of Sectors 87, 101 and 103 is not an isolated project. It forms part of a much larger urban expansion programme covering Greater Mohali and New Chandigarh.

A major acquisition plan announced earlier in 2026 covers thousands of acres for new townships, new sectors, industrial parks, commercial development and master-plan roads. The wider programme includes a proposed commercial city centre in Sector 87 along with new industrial sectors and other planned urban areas.

GMADA’s plans also include residential, institutional and other forms of development in several new sectors. The objective is to guide Mohali’s future growth through planned sectors rather than allowing urban expansion to occur in an unregulated manner.

Potential Economic Impact

The proposed commercial and industrial expansion could have a significant impact on Mohali’s future economy.

A large planned commercial centre can attract businesses, offices, retail establishments and service providers. At the same time, industrial parks can provide organised space for manufacturing and other business activities.

Such development could create both direct and indirect employment opportunities while generating demand for supporting services, transportation, logistics, housing and other urban infrastructure.

For a rapidly expanding city such as Mohali, the availability of planned commercial and industrial land could also help accommodate businesses that require larger and better-organised spaces than those available in older developed sectors.

Connectivity and Infrastructure Will Be Important

The success of the proposed sectors will depend not only on land acquisition but also on the infrastructure developed after the acquisition process.

Road connectivity, sewerage, water supply, electricity, drainage, public transport and other essential services will be crucial for turning the identified land parcels into functioning commercial and industrial zones.

The wider Greater Mohali expansion plan also includes major master-plan road acquisitions, highlighting the importance of connectivity in supporting new development areas.

Challenges Remain for Landowners

While the government sees the projects as part of Mohali’s long-term urban development, land acquisition has also generated concerns among some affected communities.

Farmers and landowners in parts of the acquisition belt have raised objections over the loss of agricultural land, compensation, rehabilitation and the proposed use of their properties. In some areas, protests have also taken place against acquisition proceedings for industrial and other planned developments.

These concerns make transparent acquisition procedures, proper compensation and effective rehabilitation important factors in determining how smoothly the projects progress.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus will remain on completing the necessary land acquisition and rehabilitation procedures. Once the required statutory stages are completed, GMADA and other concerned departments will need to move towards detailed planning and infrastructure development.

For Sector 87, the eventual development of a large commercial centre could significantly change the economic landscape of this part of Mohali. For Sectors 101 and 103, the creation of planned industrial areas could strengthen the city’s manufacturing and business infrastructure.

The projects will therefore need sustained coordination between GMADA, the Housing and Urban Development Department, local authorities, landowners and other stakeholders.

A Major Step in Mohali’s Future Growth

The ongoing acquisition process for Sectors 87, 101 and 103 signals a broader shift in Mohali’s development strategy towards planned commercial and industrial expansion.

Sector 87 is being positioned as a major commercial destination, while Sectors 101 and 103 are intended to strengthen the city’s industrial base. Together with the wider township and infrastructure projects planned across Greater Mohali, these developments could play an important role in shaping the city’s next phase of growth.

However, the ultimate impact will depend on how efficiently the acquisition process is completed, how affected landowners are rehabilitated and how quickly supporting infrastructure is created.