The garbage crisis in Punjab’s “VIP city” Mohali is spiralling out of control. Nearly a year and a half after the Punjab and Haryana High Court banned dumping waste at the Industrial Area Phase 8B site, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has yet to find a permanent dumping ground. As a result, garbage heaps are piling up across the city’s RMC (resource management centre) collection points, spreading filth, stench, and disease, and making life miserable for residents.
Adding to the mess, political tension within the municipal body is escalating as the garbage problem worsens with no immediate solution in sight.
During the festive season, all 14 RMC points across Mohali are overflowing with unprocessed waste, forcing sanitation workers to leave garbage heaps unattended in residential and market areas. At Phase 3A, massive mounds of waste have blocked the entry road into Mohali, while Sector 57 faces similar conditions with garbage spilling onto the streets. In Sector 71, the dumping point has spread over more than half of the road, and near the Orient Fashion Craft factory, trash has taken over the roadside.
In Sector 55 (Phase 1), near the old Barrier Chowk, a large amount of waste lies scattered across the road, often alongside injured stray animals. Ironically, within 50 metres, a cow shelter and hospital by “Go Gras Sewa Samiti” is being run on encroached land, yet its caretakers seem unaware of the suffering animals nearby.
Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu, who had warned of a protest if no new dumping site was identified by September 30, said his warning “has had no effect so far”.
Councillor demands removal of Phase 3A RMC point
Municipal councillor Jaspreet Kaur (Ward No. 1) said the Phase 3A RMC point has turned into a garbage mountain.
“This site is the main entry to VIP City Mohali. During the festive season, heaps of garbage welcome visitors instead of lights and cleanliness,” she said.
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She added that despite the area witnessing regular VIP movement, the Municipal Corporation has turned a blind eye. Residents Avtar Singh and Dr Bhola Singh warned that if the problem persists, citizens will be forced to launch a protest.
Advocate Jasbir Singh alleged that the cow shelter beside Barrier Chowk is an illegal encroachment on prime land. “The administration lacks the will to act despite repeated attempts to clear it,” he said.
Former Mohali Industries Association president Anurag Aggarwal blamed the Punjab government for the city’s deteriorating condition. “Garbage from the Orient area is spilling onto the roads, disrupting movement. Unless the government allocates a new dumping site, this mess will only grow,” he said.
Current cssociation president Baljit Singh (Black Stone) said the MC has failed despite collecting massive taxes from industries. “If this continues, no new industrialist will want to invest in Mohali,” he warned.
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AAP councillor Sarbjit Singh Samana slammed the municipal leadership. “The MC has completely failed to maintain cleanliness. The mayor, Amarjit Singh ‘Jeeti’ Sidhu, made tall claims of cleaning the city in 15 days but clearly, he can’t even see the garbage on all corners of the city now.”
Mohali slipping in Swachh Survekshan rankings
Once among Punjab’s top-ranked clean cities, Mohali’s status has declined due to the worsening waste management crisis. With sanitation collapsing and waste disposal in chaos, the city’s ranking is expected to drop further in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan survey.
Facts & Figures
Around 100–150 tonnes of garbage is generated in Mohali every day. Nearly 50 tonnes come from adjoining areas like Balongi, JLPL, TDI, and GMADA sectors. With no permanent dumping site, the city’s waste management system is in complete disarray.
Official version
When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh said, “Instructions have been issued to the contractor for immediate lifting of garbage from RMC points.”
