The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has proposed amending the Master Plan to reduce road widths in upcoming projects and townships in Mohali. The move is intended to offset rising land acquisition costs but has raised concerns about traffic, green spaces, infrastructure and future development.

Under the proposed changes, roads serving plots of up to 200 square yards would be reduced from 40 ft to 30 ft. Sector-dividing roads planned at 200 ft would be narrowed to 120 ft, while some areas could have roads measuring 80 ft. The changes are expected to apply to future projects and could affect ongoing developments, including Eco City 3 and 4 in New Chandigarh and the Aerotropolis project near the airport.

GMADA chief administrator Sandeep Rishi said the authority’s financial liability had increased because of compensation requirements under Section 10(3) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act. He said converting agricultural land for residential development had increased costs, with the authority paying more than it could recover, prompting the decision to reduce road widths.

Urban planning experts have warned that narrower roads could create long-term traffic and infrastructure problems. Former Punjab senior town planner Jit Kumar Gupta said reducing road widths to increase saleable land would bring more residents and vehicles into developments, while senior architect Surya Kant said roads also needed adequate space for water supply, electricity and other utilities. Kant added that the proposal remained subject to approval and public consultation.

The proposal must first receive in-principle approval from the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Board, followed by an invitation for public objections and a final notification. The process could continue until March 2027. Property consultants and the Committee of Residents Welfare Associations and Societies have opposed the changes, seeking restoration of the originally approved widths and warning of consequences for connectivity, infrastructure and buyers.