Mohali: Gmada’s ambitious Eco City-3 project in New Chandigarh has received environmental clearance, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the development of a 716-acre integrated township across nine villages in the Mullanpur area.The approval from the Punjab State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) paves the way for the next phase of planning and development of what is seen as a key urban expansion project for New Chandigarh.According to a public notice issued by Gmada, Eco City-3 will be developed across land situated in Rasulpur, Salamatpur, Dhode Majra, Takipur, Rajgarh, Majra, Kartarpur, Kansala and Hoshiarpur villages. The project envisages residential and commercial development and is expected to add significantly to the region’s housing inventory.A senior Gmada official described the environmental clearance as a significant milestone in the project’s regulatory process, though further approvals and development activities will determine the pace of execution.Under the project, residential plots will be allotted through a draw of lots, while commercial sites will be disposed of through open auction. The scheme is being developed under GMADA’s land-pooling policy, under which landowners become partners in the development process.The clearance is expected to accelerate Gmada’s plans for New Chandigarh, where multiple development projects are currently under way. The authority is also moving ahead with Eco City-4, a proposed residential township spread over around 526 acres.Officials said the Eco City projects are designed to promote planned urban growth through low-density residential development, wider roads, larger plot sizes and underground utility infrastructure.Box | Eco City-3 at a glance• Total area: 716 acres• Location: New Chandigarh (Mullanpur)• Villages covered: 9• Key villages: Takipur, Kansala, Kartarpur, Hoshiarpur and Rajgarh• Land acquisition model: Land pooling policy• Residential plots: Through draw of lots• Commercial sites: Through open auction• Status: Environmental clearance received from SEIAA
