Section 3 Notice: Land Acquisition for Aerotropolis Extension, Khijargadh धारा 3 नोटिस: एरोट्रोपोलिस विस्तार, खिजरगढ़ के लिए भूमि अधिग्रहण ਧਾਰਾ 3 ਨੋਟਿਸ: ਐਰੋਟ੍ਰੋਪੋਲਿਸ ਐਕਸਟੈਨਸ਼ਨ, ਖਿਜ਼ਰਗੜ੍ਹ ਲਈ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ

Who is affected

This notice applies to landowners and residents of village Khijargadh in SAS Nagar (Mohali). The land acquisition is for the Aerotropolis Extension project, a major urban development initiative by GMADA. According to the document, the notice has been sent to:

- The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mohali - The Tehsildar, Kharar - The Sarpanch of Pind Khijargadh - Public notice boards at Gurdwara Sahib, Mandir, Masjid, Janj Ghar, and other community centres in the village

Any person who owns land in Khijargadh or has an interest in the land proposed for acquisition is affected. The notice explicitly invites objections from landowners and interested parties under Section 3 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Timing and deadlines

The notice is dated 05-08-2026 (5th August 2026). This is a Section 3 notice, which is the preliminary notification stage of land acquisition under the 2013 Act. Section 3 requires the government to publish a notice inviting objections from affected parties.

The document does not specify an explicit deadline for submitting objections. However, under the 2013 Act, affected parties typically have 60 days from the date of publication to file objections. Readers should confirm the exact deadline by contacting the Land Acquisition Collector's office or checking the official PUDA website.

The notice indicates that copies have been sent to local authorities and posted at public places on or around 05-08-2026, so the 60-day period (if applicable) would run from early August 2026.

Where and how

Objections or representations should be submitted to:

Office of the Land Acquisition Collector Urban Development Department, Punjab PUDA Bhawan, Sector-62, SAS Nagar (Mohali)

The document does not specify whether objections must be submitted in person or can be sent by post. Affected parties should contact the office directly for procedural details.

The notice has been physically posted at: - Gurdwara Sahib in Khijargadh - Mandir (temple) in Khijargadh - Masjid (mosque) in Khijargadh - Janj Ghar (community centre) in Khijargadh - Other public places in the village

The notice has also been sent to the CM (IT) for uploading on the PUDA website, and to the Superintendent Housing-1 (Makan Usari te Sahiri Vikas Vibhag) for record.

What you should do

If you own land in Khijargadh or have any interest in land that may be acquired for the Aerotropolis Extension:

1. Verify the land parcels affected: The notice does not list specific khasra numbers or survey numbers. Visit the Land Acquisition Collector's office or check the PUDA website to see if detailed maps or lists have been published.

2. File objections if you oppose the acquisition: Under Section 3 of the 2013 Act, you have the right to object to the acquisition. Objections typically must be filed within 60 days of the notice date. Prepare a written objection stating your grounds (e.g., land is not required for the project, compensation is inadequate, alternative land is available, etc.).

3. Engage legal counsel: Land acquisition under the 2013 Act involves multiple stages (Section 3 preliminary notice, Section 4 Social Impact Assessment, Section 5 declaration, Section 11 award). If your land is affected, consult a lawyer experienced in land acquisition law to protect your rights.

4. Monitor for further notices: This is only the preliminary notice. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) will follow, then a formal declaration under Section 5, and eventually a compensation award under Section 11. Each stage has its own deadlines and procedures.

5. Contact local authorities: Reach out to the Sarpanch of Khijargadh, the Tehsildar Kharar, or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mohali for clarification on which lands are affected and what the next steps are.

If you are an investor or dealer tracking Aerotropolis land, note that this acquisition will expand the Aerotropolis footprint. However, the document does not specify how much land is being acquired or which pockets (A-I) will be affected.

Background and context

The Aerotropolis Extension is part of GMADA's long-term plan to expand the Aerotropolis township beyond its current nine pockets (A-I). Khijargadh is located in the vicinity of the existing Aerotropolis area, and its acquisition suggests GMADA is moving forward with the next phase of development.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 replaced the older Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The 2013 Act provides stronger protections for landowners, including: - Mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) before acquisition - Higher compensation (typically 2-4 times the market value) - Rehabilitation and resettlement benefits for affected families - Right to object at multiple stages

Section 3 is the first formal step in the acquisition process. It requires the government to publish a preliminary notice and invite objections. If objections are overruled, the government proceeds to a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), followed by a formal declaration under Section 5, and eventually a compensation award under Section 11.

GMADA has been acquiring land in phases for the Aerotropolis project since the mid-2010s. The original nine pockets (A-I) were notified in earlier years, and land pooling and acquisition have been ongoing. This notice indicates that GMADA is now extending the project into Khijargadh, likely to accommodate additional residential, commercial, or infrastructure development.

For investors, the Aerotropolis Extension is significant because it will increase the supply of developable land in the Tricity region. However, the timeline for actual plot schemes or auctions in the extension area is uncertain — land acquisition under the 2013 Act can take several years from preliminary notice to final possession.

Risks and uncertainties

Several points are unclear from this document:

1. Extent of land: The notice does not specify how much land is being acquired in Khijargadh, nor does it list specific khasra numbers or survey numbers. Affected landowners will need to obtain detailed maps from the Land Acquisition Collector's office.

2. Objection deadline: While the notice is dated 05-08-2026, it does not explicitly state the deadline for filing objections. Under the 2013 Act, the typical period is 60 days from publication, but this should be confirmed.

3. Compensation rates: The notice does not mention compensation amounts or valuation methodology. Compensation will be determined later in the process, after the Social Impact Assessment and formal declaration.

4. Timeline for possession: Land acquisition under the 2013 Act is a multi-stage process. Even after this preliminary notice, GMADA must complete an SIA, issue a Section 5 declaration, conduct a Section 11 award, and resolve any legal challenges. The entire process can take 3-5 years or longer.

5. Impact on existing Aerotropolis pockets: The document does not clarify how the Khijargadh acquisition relates to the existing nine pockets (A-I). It is unclear whether Khijargadh will be designated as a new pocket (e.g., Pocket J) or integrated into an existing pocket.

6. Rehabilitation and resettlement: The 2013 Act mandates rehabilitation for affected families, but the notice does not provide details. Landowners should inquire about R&R benefits during the objection period.

Investors and dealers should monitor GMADA's website and local media for follow-up notices, particularly the Social Impact Assessment report and the Section 5 declaration. These will provide more clarity on the scope and timeline of the acquisition.