VR-3 Road Land Acquisition: 5 Villages in Majri Sub-Tehsil VR-3 सड़क भूमि अधिग्रहण: माजरी उप-तहसील के 5 गाँव VR-3 ਸੜਕ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ: ਮਾਜਰੀ ਉਪ-ਤਹਿਸੀਲ ਦੇ 5 ਪਿੰਡ

Who is affected

This land acquisition notice affects landowners in five villages in Sub-Tehsil Majri, SAS Nagar (Mohali): Paitpur, Charumajar, Bashepur, Sangala, and Teeda. The acquisition is for the construction of a 60 metre (200 feet) wide VR-3 road in New Chandigarh.

The notice is issued under The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Any person or entity holding land rights in these five villages — whether ownership, tenancy, or other interest — falls within the scope of this notice.

The document instructs village Sarpanches to display copies of the notice at public places including Gurdwara Sahib, temples, mosques, community centres (ਜੰਗ ਘਰ), and common meeting places (ਆਮ ਦੇ ਮੈਟਾ ਥੋਹਰ) to ensure maximum reach among affected residents.

Where and how

Affected landowners may submit objections or representations regarding the proposed land acquisition at three designated offices:

1. Office of the Land Acquisition Collector, Urban Development Department, Punjab — PUDA Bhawan, Sector-62, SAS Nagar (Mohali) 2. Office of the Tehsildar, Kharar 3. Office of the Tehsildar, Majri

The notice specifies that objections may be submitted in person or in writing. The document does not prescribe a specific format for written objections, but affected parties should clearly state:

- Their name and address - Details of their land holding in the affected villages - The nature and grounds of their objection - Any supporting documents (land records, ownership proof, etc.)

Copies of the notice have been sent to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kharar, Tehsildars of Kharar and Majri, and the Sarpanches of all five affected villages. The notice is also to be uploaded on the GMADA website by the GM (IT), GMADA.

What you should do

If you own land or hold any interest in land in Paitpur, Charumajar, Bashepur, Sangala, or Teeda villages in Sub-Tehsil Majri, you should take the following steps:

1. Verify your land records — Obtain updated copies of your jamabandi (land ownership records) from the Tehsildar's office to confirm the exact location and extent of your holdings.

2. Assess the impact — Determine whether your land falls within the alignment of the proposed 60-metre-wide VR-3 road. The document does not provide a detailed map or khasra numbers, so you may need to visit the Land Acquisition Collector's office to inspect the detailed acquisition plan.

3. Prepare your objections — If you have concerns about the acquisition — whether regarding the necessity of the project, the extent of land being acquired, or any other matter — draft a written objection. Include all relevant facts, supporting documents, and your contact details.

4. Submit objections promptly — While the notice does not specify an explicit deadline, land acquisition proceedings typically move forward on a statutory timeline under the 2013 Act. Submit your objections as soon as possible to ensure they are considered. You may submit in person at any of the three offices listed above, or send by registered post.

5. Engage legal counsel if needed — Land acquisition under the 2013 Act involves complex legal rights regarding compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement. If your land holding is substantial or if you anticipate disputes over valuation or entitlement, consult a lawyer experienced in land acquisition matters.

6. Monitor official channels — Check the GMADA website and visit the Tehsildar's office periodically for updates on the acquisition process, including notifications of public hearings, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) reports, and compensation awards.

Background and context

The VR-3 road is part of the New Chandigarh (Aerotropolis) township infrastructure being developed by GMADA. New Chandigarh is a planned satellite city adjacent to Chandigarh International Airport, designed to accommodate residential, commercial, and institutional development.

The VR-3 designation indicates a Vertical Road in the township's grid layout. A 60-metre (200-feet) width suggests this is a major arterial road, likely intended to carry high traffic volumes and connect key nodes within the township. Such roads typically include carriageways, service lanes, green belts, and utilities corridors.

Land acquisition for New Chandigarh has been ongoing since the mid-2010s, covering multiple villages in SAS Nagar. The five villages named in this notice — Paitpur, Charumajar, Bashepur, Sangala, and Teeda — are located in the Majri area, which forms part of the broader New Chandigarh development zone.

The use of The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (rather than the older 1894 Act) means that affected landowners are entitled to:

- Compensation at market value plus a multiplier (typically 1x in urban areas, 2x in rural areas) - Rehabilitation and resettlement benefits if displaced - Mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and public consultation - Consent requirements (though these may be waived for infrastructure projects under certain conditions)

The notice does not indicate whether this is an initial notification under Section 4 of the 2013 Act (preliminary notification) or a later stage. The absence of specific khasra numbers or area measurements suggests this may be an early-stage public notice, with detailed land schedules to follow.

Risks and uncertainties

Several aspects of this notice are not fully specified, creating uncertainty for affected landowners:

1. No deadline for objections — The notice states that objections may be submitted in person or in writing, but does not specify a cut-off date. Under the 2013 Act, there are statutory timelines for each stage of acquisition, but this notice does not clarify which stage is currently active or when the objection period closes. Affected parties should submit objections promptly and seek clarification from the Land Acquisition Collector's office.

2. No detailed land schedule — The notice does not provide khasra numbers, survey numbers, or area measurements for the land to be acquired. This makes it difficult for landowners to determine whether their specific parcels are affected. A detailed schedule should be available at the Collector's office or will be published in a subsequent notification.

3. No compensation rates mentioned — The notice does not indicate the compensation rates or valuation methodology. Under the 2013 Act, compensation is based on market value as determined by the Collector, often using recent sale deed data or the stamp duty ready reckoner. Landowners should expect a separate notification detailing compensation awards.

4. Unclear project timeline — The notice does not specify when construction of the VR-3 road will commence or when land possession will be taken. This creates uncertainty for landowners regarding when they will need to vacate or transfer their land.

5. Rehabilitation entitlements not detailed — The 2013 Act provides for rehabilitation and resettlement benefits for displaced families, but this notice does not outline what benefits will be offered or who qualifies. Affected families should inquire about R&R entitlements at the Collector's office.

6. Potential for disputes — Land acquisition often leads to disputes over ownership, boundaries, compensation amounts, and eligibility for benefits. Landowners should be prepared for a potentially lengthy process and should maintain all records meticulously.

Given these uncertainties, affected landowners are advised to proactively engage with the Land Acquisition Collector's office, seek legal advice if necessary, and monitor official channels for further notifications.