The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) has made a significant decision to cancel the Change of Land Use (CLU) permission for 1.21 acres of land that was previously allocated to a private developer for an industrial park project in Mohali. This action comes following a contentious ownership dispute that required government-level intervention.
Background of the Industrial Park Project
The revoked land portion forms part of a larger 56.53-acre industrial park sanctioned for development in Drari and Dhurali villages within Mohali tehsil. According to official records from the state directorate of town and country planning, the developer initially received CLU approval for 51.4 acres on August 29, 2018, followed by an additional 5.13 acres on January 29, 2019.
The comprehensive layout plan for the entire industrial park received formal approval under the Industrial Park Policy on October 30, 2019. The current public notice announcing the cancellation was formally signed by the chief town planner of Punjab, marking a significant reversal in the project's trajectory.
The Ownership Dispute and Investigation
The cancellation process began when the department received a formal complaint challenging the ownership of a specific portion of land included within the sanctioned CLU area. This prompted a thorough investigation and multiple opportunities for personal hearings provided to both the complainant and the developer.
After careful review at the government level, authorities determined that the 1.21 acres (equivalent to 9 kanal 15 marla) rightfully belonged to the complainant rather than the developer. The disputed land falls within multiple khasra numbers located in Drari village, creating complications for the entire project layout.
Impact on Development Plans
The revocation directly affects numerous components of the previously approved layout plan. Specifically, the cancellation impacts industrial plots 1 to 8, 12 to 16, and 19 to 111 entirely, while also affecting portions of plots 11 and 18. The decision also nullifies all 88 SCO sites in Pocket-1, including their associated parking areas, toilet blocks, and six bay shops that fell within the affected khasra numbers.
Additionally, one plot specifically earmarked for water works infrastructure now stands compromised due to the ownership resolution. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the land forms part of a mushtarka khata, indicating joint ownership arrangements.
Path Forward for the Developer
PUDA has issued clear directives requiring the promoter to submit a revised layout plan that accurately reflects the land actually in their possession, excluding the revoked 1.21 acres. This updated plan must receive formal approval from the competent authority before any development can proceed.
The department has also committed to issuing a separate public notice prior to approving any updated layout plan, ensuring transparency in the modification process. This measure aims to prevent similar ownership disputes from arising in the future while maintaining the integrity of urban development regulations in Punjab.
This development highlights the critical importance of clear land ownership documentation in large-scale industrial projects and demonstrates the regulatory mechanisms in place to address property disputes in Punjab's urban development landscape.
