Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday announced that the party is committed to transforming the Mohali–Zirakpur–Dera Bassi–New Chandigarh–Kharar belt into the country’s next financial hub, on the lines of Mumbai and Gurgaon, once it forms the government in 2027.
Photo: IANS
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday announced that the party is committed to transforming the Mohali–Zirakpur–Dera Bassi–New Chandigarh–Kharar belt into the country’s next financial hub, on the lines of Mumbai and Gurgaon, once it forms the government in 2027.
Addressing a massive rally here, attended by thousands despite rain that necessitated a change in venue, Badal, along with senior leader NK Sharma, said, “We will create an IT hub in this area, besides bringing in tourism projects and establishing an industrial hub in Dera Bassi.”
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He added that the entire region would be connected through a metro rail system, alongside the upgradation of road infrastructure and the establishment of world-class solid waste management systems. He said the endeavour, to be completed within five years, would lead to the emergence of a new metropolitan city in the vicinity of Chandigarh.
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Badal also highlighted that the erstwhile SAD government had put Mohali on the global map by establishing an international airport and reiterated the party’s commitment to taking the region to the next level post-2027.
Criticising rival parties, Badal alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress had tacitly aligned during elections for Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Block Samitis, indicating a possible alliance in the 2027 Assembly polls.
“As seen in Block Samiti elections in Baghapurana, Kotkapura, Faridkot and other places, both parties joined hands to keep SAD out. They are likely to repeat this in 2027,” he said.
Warning voters, Badal asserted that both parties were responsible for setting Punjab back by decades and expressed confidence that Punjabis would reject these “Delhi-based parties” in favour of the regional SAD.
He also criticised AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly misleading the public by claiming welfare schemes would be discontinued if AAP lost power in 2027.
“All existing welfare schemes in Punjab were initiated by SAD. AAP has either scrapped or reduced benefits under schemes such as old-age pensions, Aata-Dal, Shagun, and SC scholarships,” he claimed.
Badal added that, following political setbacks in Delhi, Kejriwal was attempting to regain ground in Punjab but asserted that voters would not be misled again.
The SAD president assured that the party would address key local issues raised by N.K. Sharma after forming the government. These include establishing a hospital in Zirakpur, ensuring canal water supply for drinking purposes, developing a tourist attraction in Chhatbir, upgrading Handesra to a sub-tehsil, setting up a girls’ college in Lalru, introducing Puadhi in school curricula, and developing religious sites at Gharam and Kunti Kund.
He also announced that NK Sharma would be given the finance portfolio in the next SAD government.
Outlining his broader vision for Punjab, Badal promised tubewell connections for all farmers lacking access, along with 12 hours of daytime power supply. He also announced the establishment of a World Skill University to train one lakh youth annually, with centres in every district.
Additional promises included interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh for youth, revival and expansion of the Aata-Dal scheme, an increase in old-age pension to ₹3,100 per month, and raising the Shagun allowance to ₹1 lakh.
He further announced free education up to graduation level and a 75 per cent subsidy for youth setting up livestock farms, including dairy and poultry units.
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