GMADA Puts Auctions and Projects on Hold After ED Searchਈਡੀ ਤਲਾਸ਼ੀ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਗਮਾਡਾ ਨੇ ਨਿਲਾਮੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ ਰੋਕੇ

Punjab's housing and urban development department has put several major property auctions and township projects on hold after the Enforcement Directorate's search at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Hindustan Times reported on Friday, October 9.

What has been put on hold at GMADA?

The state-wide auction of residential and commercial properties, first scheduled for September 24, was postponed. The National Housing and Urban Innovation Summit, planned for October 9, has been deferred to November. The launch of Eco City-2 (Extension), GMADA's proposed eighth township, has also been put off.

A senior officer of the department, who asked not to be named, said some activities were on hold "as officers do not want to take any risk at this stage", and that a decision on the auction and project launches would be taken after some time.

What was planned in Eco City-2 Extension?

The 96-acre scheme was to offer 135 one-kanal and 18 two-kanal residential plots at Rs 5,500 per square yard through a draw of lots, with commercial sites to be sold by auction. The notification under Section 11 for Eco City-4, a proposed 517 to 526-acre township at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh, has also been held back.

How did the ED search lead here?

The ED searched GMADA's office at PUDA Bhawan in Sector 62, Mohali, for about 50 hours from September 22. The agency later alleged that manipulation of reserve prices of unsold land could have caused a potential loss of nearly Rs 10,000 crore to GMADA and the Punjab government. Hindustan Times noted that the agency's note did not provide evidence that the entire alleged loss had actually occurred.

The Punjab government and GMADA have challenged the search in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court has sought the ED's response, with the next hearing set for October 28, according to The Tribune.

What has it meant for allottees and landowners?

The Tribune reported earlier that two public meetings were postponed after the search: one on awarding compensation for 196.44 acres in four villages for the Sector 87 commercial expansion, and another between IT City allottees and GMADA officials over enhancement charges. Allottees said they were not being issued no-objection or completion certificates.

GMADA's last authority meeting was held in August, and several matters, including promotions and disputed projects, are pending. A former head of the Mohali Property Consultants Association told Hindustan Times that officers are not willing to take big decisions and builders are in a wait-and-watch mode.

How much money is at stake?

The department raised about Rs 1,900 crore in an auction in October 2025, and GMADA raised nearly Rs 5,400 crore in an auction about two months ago, Hindustan Times said.

Why were GMADA auctions postponed?

A senior officer said officers did not want to take any risk after the ED search, and a decision on rescheduling will come later.

When is the next court hearing on the ED search?

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed October 28 for the ED's response to the Punjab government's petition.

Which GMADA projects are affected?

The Eco City-2 (Extension) launch, the Eco City-4 Section 11 notification and the state-wide property auction are all on hold.