Public notice regarding SIA report of Vertical and Horizontal Roads In Master Plan of New Chandigarh.

Overview of the Public Notice

The Land Acquisition Collector, Urban Development Department, Punjab has issued a revised public notice regarding public hearings for the proposed acquisition of land for vertical and horizontal roads falling within the New Chandigarh Master Plan. The hearings form part of the Social Impact Assessment process under Section 5 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act, 2013). Affected families and landowners from the concerned villages were given an opportunity to present their views regarding the proposed acquisition.

Why Has This Notice Been Issued?

According to the notice, land is proposed to be acquired for the vertical and horizontal road network planned under the New Chandigarh Master Plan. A hearing schedule had previously been published by the Land Acquisition Collector's office in a newspaper on: 3 April 2026 The present notice provides a new/revised schedule of hearing dates, times and venues. Landowners should therefore rely on the revised schedule contained in this notice rather than the earlier hearing dates.

Revised Public Hearing Schedule

The notice provides village-wise hearings between 14 May and 21 May 2026. The schedule visible in the scan includes: 14 May 2026

• First listed village – 11:00 AM
• Mastgarh – 1:00 PM
• Milkh – 3:00 PM

15 May 2026

• Paintpur – 11:00 AM
• Ratwara – 1:00 PM
• Mullanpur Garibdas – 3:00 PM

16 May 2026

• One village name is unclear in the OCR – 11:00 AM
• Tira – 1:00 PM
• Chahar Majra – 3:00 PM

18 May 2026

• Palheri and Rahimapur – 11:00 AM
• Sangala and Thaska – 1:00 PM
• Bansepur – 3:00 PM

19 May 2026

• Rai Majra – 11:00 AM
• Bhagat Majra – 1:00 PM
• Ghandoli – 3:00 PM

20 May 2026

• Kansala – 11:00 AM
• Hoshiarpur – 1:00 PM
• One village name is unclear in the supplied OCR – 3:00 PM

21 May 2026

• Rasulpur – 11:00 AM
• Dhode Majra – 1:00 PM
• Salamatpur – 3:00 PM

According to the notice, the hearings were to be held at the respective Gurdwara Sahib locations mentioned against each village.

What Is a Section 5 Public Hearing?

A Section 5 hearing forms part of the Social Impact Assessment stage of a proposed land acquisition. Its purpose is to allow affected families and landowners to explain how the proposed acquisition may affect them. Landowners can use the hearing to raise matters relating to:

• their land and ownership
• livelihood impact
• access to agricultural or residential land
• local road connectivity
• social and community impacts
• existing land use
• other concerns connected with the proposed acquisition

The views recorded during these hearings can become part of the Social Impact Assessment report.

Why Are These Roads Important to the Acquisition?

The notice specifically refers to land required for vertical and horizontal roads under the New Chandigarh Master Plan. This means the proposed acquisition is connected with planned road alignments forming part of the wider master-plan road network. However, the notice itself does not provide detailed information about:

• the width of each proposed road
• the complete road alignment
• individual Khasra numbers
• village-wise acreage
• construction timelines

Those details would need to be checked from the relevant acquisition plans and government records.

Who Will Participate in the Hearings?

According to the notice, affected families would be heard by:

• the Land Acquisition Collector
• members of the university involved in conducting the Social Impact Assessment

The university name is not stated in the OCR text supplied.

Does This Notice Mean the Roads Will Now Be Built?

No. This notice concerns the Social Impact Assessment and public-consultation stage of land acquisition. It does not mean that:

• acquisition of the land has been completed
• road construction has started
• a construction tender has been awarded
• compensation has been determined
• an acquisition award has been announced
• possession of the land has been taken

The road projects and land-acquisition proceedings would still need to move through subsequent statutory and administrative stages.

What Should Affected Landowners Check?

Landowners in the concerned New Chandigarh villages should verify:

• their Khasra number
• whether their land falls within a proposed road alignment
• the exact area proposed for acquisition
• ownership and revenue records
• the relevant master-plan drawing
• Social Impact Assessment documents
• views submitted during the hearing
• subsequent acquisition notifications

The inclusion of a village in this hearing schedule does not mean that all land within that village is proposed for acquisition. Only the land falling within the relevant acquisition proposal and road alignment would be affected.

What Happens After the Public Hearing?

After the hearings, representations made by affected families can be considered as part of the Social Impact Assessment. If the acquisition proposal proceeds, the process may subsequently move through stages such as:

Social Impact Assessment → Expert Group Review → Section 8 consideration → Section 11 preliminary notification → objections → Section 19 declaration → claims and award → compensation → possession

Each stage requires separate statutory action.

Geography of New Chandigarh

New Chandigarh is positioned within the Greater Mohali region, designed to ease urban congestion. This planned urban area comprises several sectors, with the Vertical and Horizontal Roads serving as pathways to improve connectivity.

The geographical layout includes well-defined sectors integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. This strategic framework aids in managing urban sprawl while allowing access to essential services. Key thoroughfares, including major roads and planned green spaces, ensure that residents enjoy connectivity alongside a balance of urban living and environmental sustainability.

History and Development of New Chandigarh

New Chandigarh has evolved as a planned urban extension, providing residential and commercial spaces alongside green initiatives. This transformation from agricultural land to a thriving urban center is a result of GMADA's efforts to create a satellite city for Chandigarh and accommodate the growing population that outstripped the infrastructure capabilities of Chandigarh.

The Vertical and Horizontal Roads are pivotal in the overall infrastructure strategy aimed at addressing connectivity needs. These roads enhance accessibility within New Chandigarh and connect it to adjacent areas, fostering economic opportunities. Recent public notices regarding other infrastructure developments in April 2026 complement this notice, indicating GMADA's active pursuit of cohesive urban development.

Significance of the SIA Report

The SIA report assesses the potential impacts of the proposed roads on the local community, considering economic, social, and environmental aspects. Its findings are essential for guiding future urban planning decisions and ensuring community interests are integrated into the development of critical infrastructure.

This proactive evaluation aims to minimize negative impacts while promoting responsible growth. By thoroughly understanding community needs, the SIA helps stakeholders make informed decisions that adhere to developmental standards and sustainability goals, allowing residents to benefit from improved infrastructure without detriment to the surrounding environment.

Practical Details of the Notice

• Notice Date: April 21, 2026

For more information and complete details, click on “Open Original Document” to view the official source.