Panjab to Acquire 40K Acres Land Across 158 Villages

The Panjab Cabinet has approved a policy allowing fragmentation of big industrial plots across Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC). These include industrial estates, focal points and growth centers. The policy existed since 2005 when it was approved by the PSIEC Board of Directors but lacked the state government’s approval. Recently, 15 plots in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar fetched over three times the reserve price. The plots were sold for USD 1.8K per square yard, compared to the reserve price of around USD 500 per square yard. This increase is primarily due to the scarcity of industrial plots in Panjab’s focal points, where demand far exceeds supply. The state is currently witnessing its largest-ever land acquisition drive, with over 40,000 acres across 158 of its 1,200 villages marked under a new land pooling policy for urbanization, triggering protests from farmers and a political backlash over what critics call a real estate rush with no promise of jobs or inclusive development. While this is on, about 15.25 acres of Punjab National Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (PNFC), a closed unit of Punjab State Infrastructure Development Corporation (PSIDC) in Nangal town of Ropar district, have gone missing. The liquidator appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for PNFC has stated that the difference is seen in the revenue records between 2008-09 and 2018-19. In another case, a mother-son duo, Usha Ansal and Naveen Chand have been accused of selling a World War II-era airstrip. This airstrip, located in Fattuwala, Firozepur was previously used by the Indian Air Force during multiple wars, including the 1962, 1965, and 1971. The allegations date back to 1997, when the two allegedly colluded with revenue officials to claim ownership and sell the land. Upon a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Panjab Vigilance Bureau investigated the allegation leading to the registration of a First Information Report. In May 2025, the land was restored to the Ministry of Defence.