Bhullarai panchayat opposes new Urban Estate project, submits memorandum to SDM

In a firm show of opposition, the Gram Panchayat of Village Bhullarai in Tehsil Phagwara on Friday submitted a memorandum to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Phagwara, Jashanpreet Singh, registering their protest against the proposed acquisition of approximately 200 acres of agricultural land by the Punjab State Government for the development of an Urban Estate Project.

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The memorandum, endorsed by all elected members of the Panchayat, was presented during a delegation visit to the SDM’s office, accompanied by scores of concerned farmers and local residents.

Speaking to the media, Bhullarai Sarpanch Rajat Bhanot said the proposed project has caused widespread anxiety among the villagers, whose primary source of livelihood remains agriculture. “Our village has deep-rooted agricultural traditions. Even today, the majority of Bhullarai’s population is engaged in farming. The planned acquisition of 200 acres of fertile agricultural land will directly impact hundreds of families, disrupt our agrarian economy, and erode our way of life,” he stated.

The villagers have expressed concerns that the Urban Estate Project, if implemented, will not only displace farmers but also strip the village of its agricultural identity and threaten food security in the region.

“We are not against development,” Bhanot clarified, “but we strongly believe that it should not come at the cost of our heritage, livelihoods, and the socio-economic fabric of our village. There are alternative locations available for urban expansion that do not require the displacement of farming communities.”

The residents fear the project will lead to forced displacement and long-term socio-economic hardships. Many pointed out that no comprehensive consultation or environmental assessment had been conducted prior to the announcement of the land acquisition.

The memorandum demands immediate cancellation of the proposed Urban Estate Project in Village Bhullarai. It warns that if the authorities fail to act on the community’s concerns, the residents will be forced to initiate peaceful but sustained protests to safeguard their land rights.