Chandigarh Area Plans 2490 Acres for Aerotropolis Growth
Chandigarh, Tricity Region — Authorities in the Tricity region are moving forward with plans to significantly expand the Aerotropolis township near the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, including the acquisition of roughly 2,490 acres of land, a decision that could reshape urban growth dynamics across Chandigarh, Mohali and adjoining peri-urban zones.
The expansion, approved recently by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), comes amid intensifying demand for residential, commercial and institutional space in one of northern India’s fastest-growing real-estate corridors. Located on both sides of the Zirakpur-Banur Road, the planned Aerotropolis extension sits strategically near the airport and within commuting distance of Chandigarh’s urban core, underscoring a coordinated effort to build a larger, more integrated regional township that can absorb population and economic activity spill-over from the capital. The estimated 2,490-acre acquisition is being undertaken in addition to an earlier land assembly of about 3,553 acres spread across Blocks E to J of the existing Aerotropolis plan.
Together, these tracts will support a blend of residential plots — including units ranging from 100 to 2,000 square yards — as well as commercial and institutional zones, setting the stage for a mixed-use hub anchored on connectivity to air, road and emerging economic nodes. For urban planners in Chandigarh and its neighbouring districts, the Aerotropolis vision represents a structural shift toward leveraging airport-adjacent land for high-growth, transit-oriented development, a trend seen in major global cities that prioritise integrated transport and land use planning. Proximity to the airport and major road networks enhances the appeal of these new zones for logistics, advanced services, corporate campuses and housing, potentially relieving pressure on Chandigarh’s relatively constrained land supply. However, experts caution that such large-scale expansions also raise significant planning challenges. Ensuring sustainable infrastructure — including water, waste management, public transport and affordable housing — will be critical if growth is to be inclusive and climate-responsive rather than merely expansive.
Integrating green infrastructure corridors and transit-oriented planning around the transit hub will be vital to preventing sprawl and enhancing long-term livability in the region. The scale of the Aerotropolis project may also influence land values and real-estate markets across the Tricity periphery, with some projections pointing to rising prices along key corridors near the airport as demand accelerates. Comparable developments in planned urban expansions often show that improved connectivity and serviced land availability can lead to substantial uplift in both residential and commercial property markets. Socio-economic considerations are paramount. Large land acquisitions invariably involve adjustments in land use and community impacts, and authorities will need to maintain transparent engagement with local residents and stakeholders as acquisition processes proceed. Institutional mechanisms for fair compensation, resettlement, and stakeholder consultation can help manage transition tensions and foster beneficial outcomes for both existing communities and prospective residents of the new township.
Looking ahead, the Aerotropolis expansion signals a broader regional growth narrative that could position the Chandigarh-Mohali tri-city area as a forward-looking node of integrated urban, logistics and residential development — provided that strategic infrastructure frameworks, inclusive housing policies and sustainable planning principles are synchronised with land acquisition and layout execution.
