A few years ago, if you had driven past the land near Chandigarh International Airport, you wouldn’t have given it a second look. Flat fields, scattered houses, and dusty village roads that was it. But today, things are changing. And changing fast.
This area is now home to one of Punjab’s biggest and boldest township projects Aerotropolis Mohali. It’s not just another real estate plan. It’s a smart, self-sustaining township designed for the future. And if everything goes as planned, it could become one of North India’s most modern neighborhoods.
A Township Born Near the Airport
Aerotropolis was not chosen at random. The Chandigarh International Airport is only a few minutes away. For business, travel, and life, that alone makes it a fantastic location. There's more, though. The airport road, NH-152, and Zirakpur-Banur highway are just a few of the main thoroughfares that link this town directly. It is also near to major commercial centers as well as Mohali's flourishing IT City.
To put it simply, Aerotropolis is in the right location at the right moment.
How It All Started?
The concept behind Aerotropolis originated about 2017, when the government started exploring strategies to improve the area around the airport. Farmers were asked to combine their land by GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) rather than purchasing land from them. In return, they would get developed plots in the township.
At first, some landowners were unsure. But as more details came out, over 90% of them joined. They weren’t just giving away their land they were becoming part of something bigger.
What's Being Built
The township is spread over 5,500 acres. Pockets A, B, C, and D isolate it into a few compartments.
Each area has a one of a kind combination of homes, parks, businesses, and amenities.
- Pocket A has roughly 3,300 private parts and more than 1,400 commercial lots.
- Pocket B: Homes, schools, and clubs. A bit more residential.
- Pocket C: Balanced between homes and commercial plots. Includes group housing sites.
- Pocket D: The biggest pocket, with schools, hospitals, EWS housing, and wide parks.
What’s important is that every pocket has room for families to live, businesses to grow, and kids to play. The idea is to build a full community, not just rows of houses.
Roads First, Sales Later
In many places, people buy plots and then wait years for roads or water. Aerotropolis is doing it differently.
GMADA has already started laying a full grid of roads. A 195 crore contract was signed in 2023 to build the main roads across the township. These roads connect everything homes, parks, schools, and shops and lead straight to highways and the airport.
There are also plans for underground electric cabling, street lighting, water supply, and sewer lines. GMADA wants all the basic work finished before people start building homes. That way, no one moves into a half-ready township.
Keeping Nature in Mind
One thing that sets Aerotropolis apart is how it’s planning around nature. A small stream called N-choe rivulet runs through the area. Instead of blocking it or covering it up, the plan is to reshape it.
The stream will be extended and encompassed by green belts. These green buffers almost 30 meters wide will splash up water, avoid surges, and donate inhabitants characteristic strolling ways. It’s a savvy way to keep nature near, indeed in a developing city.
What's In It for People?
This isn’t just a place to live. It’s a place where everything is close. Schools, hospitals, parks, and daily markets will all be right there. You won’t have to drive 10 kilometers for a doctor’s appointment or to buy groceries.
- Over 8,000 residential plots are being planned.
- Plot sizes range from 100 to 2,000 square yards.
- Prices are expected to start from 40,000 per square yard.
- Land for schools, colleges, hospitals, community centers, and parks has been reserved.
- Commercial plots shops, booths, and showrooms are placed in busy areas.
Everything is designed with one goal, convenience.
Smart for Investors Too
For people looking to invest, Aerotropolis checks all the boxes. It’s near the airport. It’s close to IT parks. And it connects to national highways. Plus, the government is investing heavily in it. That kind of backing gives investors confidence.
Once the proposed Chandigarh Metro line reaches here, the area’s value could go even higher. And with big open spaces and modern planning, the township offers something that most city colonies can’t room to grow.
It’s Not Been Easy
Like any big project, there have been hurdles. Some delays happened during land pooling. Others came during environmental clearances. GMADA also had to deal with illegal colonies popping up nearby, which they are now removing to keep the area clean and planned.
Some early plot holders were worried about when roads and utilities would be ready. But with 1,000 crore set aside just for infrastructure, and roads already under construction, most doubts are slowly being cleared.
What Happens Next?
GMADA expects most of the roadwork to be done. After that, people who were given plots will start receiving possession letters. That’s when houses, apartments, and offices will start coming up.
Over the next year, you can expect:
- More tenders for electricity and water supply
- Final allotment of plots
- Building permissions to open up
- Commercial areas to get planned
- School and hospital projects to begin
Bit by bit, what was once farmland is turning into a livable, walkable, and modern city.
Final Thoughts
Aerotropolis Mohali isn’t just about concrete and buildings. It’s about people — families looking for better homes, children needing playgrounds, workers needing shorter commutes, and local farmers becoming stakeholders in urban growth.
It’s also about planning a city before it becomes a problem. By focusing on roads, green space, and basic services first, Aerotropolis sets an example for how future townships in India should be built.
This isn’t just Mohali’s project. It’s Punjab’s chance to show the country that progress can be thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable.
