Key Takeaways
- New Chandigarh is a planned satellite city near Mullanpur in Mohali district, developed by GMADA.
- It spans roughly 15,000 acres and is designed to absorb the projected growth of Chandigarh and Mohali over the next two decades.
- Eco City I and Eco City II form its primary residential townships, spread across 806 acres in the Shivalik foothills.
- Land for the project comes largely through a Land Pooling Scheme, letting original landowners retain partial ownership rather than a traditional acquisition.
New Chandigarh Punjab is a planned satellite city developing near Mullanpur in the Mohali district, conceived as an extension of the Chandigarh Capital Region rather than a separate, unrelated town. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority initiated the project to absorb growth that Chandigarh and Mohali’s existing infrastructure could no longer comfortably support. Consequently, New Chandigarh has grown into a significant real estate and infrastructure story in its own right, distinct from Chandigarh city itself despite sharing its name. This guide explains what New Chandigarh is, why it was planned, and how it differs from Chandigarh proper.
What Is New Chandigarh?
New Chandigarh is a planned smart city being developed near Mullanpur, Mohali district, Punjab, under the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority, or GMADA. It forms part of the broader Chandigarh Capital Region, sitting close to the industrial town of Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.
Why New Chandigarh Was Planned
As Chandigarh and Mohali faced growing urbanisation and congestion pressures, GMADA conceived New Chandigarh as an independent, self-sustaining city to handle the region’s projected population growth over the next 20 years, rather than allowing existing cities to become overcrowded.
Eco City I and Eco City II
The project’s primary residential townships, Eco City I and Eco City II, are spread across 806 acres in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, offering planned residential plots and infrastructure distinct from Chandigarh’s original sector-based grid.
Land Pooling Scheme
Rather than acquiring land through traditional compulsory acquisition, GMADA has developed much of New Chandigarh under a Land Pooling Scheme, allowing original landowners, largely farmers, to retain partial ownership in developed plots alongside receiving compensation. This approach has shaped how the township has expanded over time.
Infrastructure and Future Plans
New Chandigarh is positioned to eventually offer world-class facilities across health, research, and education sectors, drawing population overflow from both Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh as infrastructure matures. Ongoing township approvals continue to shape the pace and scale of development.
How New Chandigarh Differs from Chandigarh
Despite the shared name, New Chandigarh is administratively and geographically distinct from Chandigarh, the Union Territory. New Chandigarh falls under Punjab state and GMADA’s jurisdiction, while Chandigarh itself remains a separate Union Territory governed by its own administration.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Mullanpur, Mohali district, Punjab |
| Developed By | GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) |
| Area | Approximately 15,000 acres |
| Key Townships | Eco City I and Eco City II (806 acres) |
| Land Model | Land Pooling Scheme |
| Administrative Status | Part of Punjab, distinct from Chandigarh UT |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Chandigarh?
New Chandigarh is a planned satellite city near Mullanpur, Mohali district, developed by GMADA to absorb growth from Chandigarh and Mohali.
Is New Chandigarh part of Chandigarh Union Territory?
No, New Chandigarh falls under Punjab state and GMADA’s jurisdiction, separate from the Chandigarh Union Territory administration.
What are Eco City I and Eco City II?
They are the primary residential townships within New Chandigarh, spread across 806 acres in the Shivalik foothills.
How is land acquired for New Chandigarh?
Much of the project uses a Land Pooling Scheme, letting original landowners retain partial ownership in developed plots rather than losing land entirely to acquisition.
How large is the New Chandigarh project?
The overall project spans roughly 15,000 acres, encompassing multiple townships and planned infrastructure zones.
Why was New Chandigarh developed?
It was planned to handle projected population growth and urban congestion pressures facing Chandigarh and Mohali over the coming decades.
New Chandigarh represents a deliberate planning response to growth pressures the original city was never designed to absorb, extending the Chandigarh Capital Region’s footprint into Punjab under a distinct administrative structure. As Eco City townships and supporting infrastructure continue to develop, the project is likely to remain a significant story in the region’s urban expansion for years to come.