Punjab Set to Establish ‘New Chandigarh’

June 8, 2026

It is worth noting that when Punjab was trifurcated in 1966-67, Chandigarh was allocated to the state as its capital—a claim Punjab maintains to this day. Everyone likely remembers the slogan: “Khidya phull gulab da, Chandigarh Punjab da” (The rose is in bloom; Chandigarh belongs to Punjab). However, since there are no limits to progress, the Punjab government has decided to establish a ‘New Chandigarh’ by acquiring village lands beyond Mohali. The task has been entrusted to GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority), which will develop it as an ‘Eco-City.’ While the decision was made earlier, the formal land acquisition process began on June 2 for 526 acres across four villages— Kartarpur, Kansal, Rajgarh, and Boothgarh—located in the Majri sub-tehsil of Kharar tehsil. The first formal step involves assessing the social impact of this land acquisition within six months. Subsequently, a notification will be issued, and compensation will be paid to the landowners. This initiative is known as the ‘New Chandigarh’ master plan and has been designated as ‘Eco-City-4.’ It represents one of the most ambitious urban expansion projects in Punjab’s history. In total, the scheme entails acquiring 11,103 acres of land across Greater Mohali and New Chandigarh. This will facilitate the creation of seven new townships, seven new sectors, and a road network spanning over 1,240 acres as part of the master plan. In total, nine villages will be covered, with 736 acres of land being acquired. The project is already underway; compensation amounting to Rs 3,690.32 crore has already been announced for the land acquired in the initial phases. Once integrated with Mohali, the total area of this ‘New Chandigarh’ is expected to exceed 11,600 acres. It is worth mentioning that while the original Chandigarh benefited from the architectural genius of Le Corbusier, this new city must also feature architecture and construction standards of a similarly high caliber. The scene in Mohali was quite different a while ago, but now, with the removal of the timber market, the city appears much more planned; however, it should be integrated with ‘New Chandigarh’ to create a city that commands admiration—one that makes even ‘Old Chandigarh’ acknowledge the indomitable spirit of the Punjabis