Mohali, which was once known for its agricultural richness, has seen massive industrial growth in the last decade. Its transformation from a land of fields to the hub of factories, industries and the IT sector constitutes a remarking journey. Let us explore how the Mohali landscape has changed over time.
Agriculture background
Punjab is known for its vast farmlands, and Mohali is not exceptional. The rich soil of Mohali produced nurtured crops that sustained generations for years. The rich availability of water and the serene landscape are some of the factors that laid the foundation for making Mohali an industrial hub.
Role of Government policies on the transformation of Mohali’s landscape
In 1966, the Punjab government imagined making Mohali an industrial town like Chandigarh. But it was not easy at that time because there were no roads, railways and the other essential facilities we see today. However, Mohali kept developing with each development stage, and today has a full-fledged economy of its own.
Both the centre and state governments continued making policies that helped encourage business in Mohali. Punjab Urban Planning and Developmental Authority has contributed to the development of many projects across Punjab, and central government policies such as Vocal for Local have attracted many investors across the city.
Factors that helped drive industrial growth
Many factors drove the industrial growth in Mohali, which includes its strategic location and government policies. With time, it also got good road connectivity, railway connectivity and other infrastructure, which attracted many investors. Moreover, Mohali’s resources and availability of skilled labour made things easy for industries and businesses.
Mohali as an IT hub
Many factors contributed to the growth of Mohali as an IT hub. Some of the essential ones are highlighted below.
1. Presence of educational institutions
Mohali has several prestigious educational institutions that produce thousands of skilled engineers and technocrats. This facilitates companies as they get a professional workforce locally, and this availability also encourages businesses to set up their facilities in Mohali.
2. Infrastructure development
Mohali has seen significant infrastructure development in the last few decades, including IT parks, an IT campus, and other amenities that are enough to attract business.
3. Quality of life
Living in Mohali is less expensive than living in a metro city such as Gurgaon, Banglore, Chennai, etc. Moreover, Mohali city is very accommodating for people from different states and regions, making it attractive to IT professionals and businesses.
Challenges of sustainability and preserving cultural heritage
Industrialization opened new job opportunities and gave space to professions such as commercial real estate consultants, which significantly boosted the city economy. But there is a delicate balance between development and sustainability. Therefore, it is vital to address environmental concerns while ensuring equitable growth through development. Sustainable construction practices for residential and commercial development, and community engagement are some of the ways by which this can be achieved.
Conclusion
Mohali has seen a significant landscape transformation over the last decade. Its IT parks, urbanised and residential apartments, malls and other spaces can compete with even the best infrastructure development throughout India. The city is also taking care of the environment by creating recreational parks and taking environment conservation initiatives.
