Punjab's Largest Land Acquisition: Farmers Protest Amid Fears of Real Estate Speculation
Punjab is witnessing its largest-ever land acquisition drive, with over 40,000 acres across 158 villages marked for urbanization. This has sparked protests from farmers and a political backlash, raising concerns about the future of fertile agricultural land and the lack of job creation.
Land AcquisitionReal EstatePunjabFarmers ProtestUrbanizationReal Estate NewsJun 30, 2025
The land pooling model is being promoted as a voluntary initiative that aims to make landowners stakeholders in development. According to Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, “There will be no forcible land acquisition. We have developed a model that respects the rights and aspirations of our farmers and landowners.”
However, the most intense opposition is brewing in Ludhiana, where over 23,000 acres spread across 44 villages have been marked for acquisition. This is the single largest chunk in the state. On June 16, farmers from over 35 Ludhiana villages staged a protest outside the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) office, accusing the government of collaborating with developers and land sharks.
“This policy is meant to erase villages and feed builders,” said Manjeet Singh Jodhan, a protesting farmer. “Why is more land being acquired when existing housing projects remain half-empty?”
While the land pooling model is pitched as voluntary, it marks the first such acquisition at this scale in Punjab. The 2007-2012 SAD-BJP government had procured much lesser land, around 3,000 acres, largely for thermal power plants. This current resistance is fueled by fears that fertile agricultural land is being sacrificed for speculative real estate.
Apart from Ludhiana, large tracts have been identified in Amritsar (over 4,400 acres), Mohali (around 3,500 acres), and Jalandhar and Pathankot (around 1,000 acres each). In Bathinda, about 850 acres have been mapped. The remaining land is scattered across Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Moga, Ferozepur, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Batala, Sultanpur Lodhi, Phagwara, and Nakodar.
So far, 15,839 acres across 76 villages in the districts, excluding Ludhiana, have already been opened for voluntary participation. Officials say the Ludhiana rollout had been held back due to the West Assembly bypoll. “The process has now been finalized,” said a senior government official.
Economists and activists are raising red flags over the direction of the policy, calling it a blind push for land monetization with no framework for generating employment or strengthening Punjab’s economy. Punjab is already 42% urbanized, higher than the national average of 31%.
“This is flawed planning,” said S S Johl, a noted economist. “Punjab doesn’t need more horizontal sprawl. In Ludhiana alone, you see vast stretches of walled plots but no actual development. Why acquire more land when earlier schemes remain underutilized?”
A senior official warned that the state’s food security may also be at risk. “With around 40,000 acres being taken out of agriculture, we’re looking at a potential 1.5 lakh ton reduction in annual paddy production. Much of this land is fertile. In the Chandigarh masterplan, only non-agricultural villages were chosen. That foresight is absent here.”
The political storm has intensified since this move comes after AAP’s Lok Sabha loss in Delhi earlier this year in February. Opposition parties claim the party is now trying to use Punjab’s land as a financial lifeline.
“They’re using Punjab as their ATM,” alleged BJP leader Sunil Jakhar. “This isn’t about development, it’s about real estate deals to fund their politics. They’ve exempted themselves from the LARR Act by invoking public utility clauses like housing and PPP corridors. The safety net has been removed.”
Adding to the suspicions is the proposed removal of the Chief Minister as chairperson of all urban development authorities, including GMADA and GLADA. The Chief Secretary will now head these bodies, a move opposition leaders see as centralization of land control by AAP’s top leadership.
“This is a hostile takeover,” said Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. “Land development is now being driven by Delhi-based decisions. The CM is no longer in command.”
Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring warned that the pooling policy could destabilize Punjab’s economy. “When agriculture collapses, every sector, from transport to trade, is hit. This model will hollow out rural Punjab.”
The government, however, insists the policy is progressive and voluntary. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “This is a bold reform. The pooling model ensures landowners remain stakeholders in development. It brings better returns, services, and connectivity.”
In Mohali, where land pooling has already begun, land rates have surged. “Acre prices that once closed at Rs 1.5 crore are now touching Rs 9 crore,” said a revenue official.
But critics argue that higher land prices cannot offset the social and ecological costs. “This isn’t just about money,” said a Ludhiana farmer. “We’re losing our fields, our work, our identity.”
As survey teams fan out across Punjab, the unrest is far from over. With land at the heart of both Punjab’s economy and politics, the battle lines are being drawn, not just between concrete and crop, but between competing visions of the state’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the land pooling policy in Punjab?
The land pooling policy in Punjab is a new initiative aimed at urbanization by acquiring land from farmers and making landowners stakeholders in development. It is being promoted as a voluntary model.
Why are farmers protesting against the land acquisition?
Farmers are protesting because they fear that fertile agricultural land is being sacrificed for speculative real estate projects. They are also concerned about the lack of job creation and the potential impact on food security.
Which areas in Punjab are most affected by the land acquisition?
Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, Jalandhar, and Pathankot are the most affected areas, with Ludhiana being the single largest chunk of land earmarked for acquisition.
What are the political implications of this policy?
The policy has intensified political opposition, with critics claiming it is a financial lifeline for the ruling party. The removal of the Chief Minister as chairperson of urban development authorities is seen as a centralization of land control.
What are the economic concerns raised by experts?
Economists and activists are concerned that the policy is a blind push for land monetization without a framework for generating employment. They also warn that the state’s food security may be at risk due to the loss of fertile agricultural land.
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