32-kilometre greenfield alignment project in Mohali: NHAI agrees to enhance relief for landowners

After a strong protest by farmers over inadequate compensation for land being acquired to construct the 32-km greenfield alignment to decongest Airport Road in Mohali, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has agreed to increase the rates.

NHAI’s ₹700 crore project had been brought to a halt after farmers pressed demand for enhanced compensation.

Earlier, the authority was to pay between ₹24 lakh and ₹4.12 crore per acre, depending on the location. Now, those who were to get ₹24 lakh per acre will get between ₹1 crore and ₹1.12 crore.

Mohali district revenue officer Gurjinder Singh Benipal said they had conducted a meeting with NHAI officials, who agreed to the enhanced rates. “We will be sending them the final awards, and hopefully, these will be cleared in a week’s time,” he said.