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Mohali Drowning in Garbage Crisis
17 Dec
Summary
- Vacant lands, especially Airport Road, are overwhelmed with municipal waste.
- NGT order closure of the old dumping ground, creating a disposal dilemma.
- Two processing sites face opposition; a new plant is two years away.
Mohali is experiencing a critical garbage management crisis, as municipal waste accumulates on vacant lands across the city, most notably along Airport Road. Residents lament the absence of effective waste collection, leading to the proliferation of illegal dumping sites and concerning evening waste burning that causes smog. The situation has been exacerbated by the National Green Tribunal's order to close the old dumping ground.
With approximately 100 metric tonnes of garbage generated daily, supplemented by an additional 60-70 tonnes from surrounding GMADA areas, the city's waste disposal system is overwhelmed. Current processing facilities in Shahimajra and Jagatpura are met with strong local opposition. Furthermore, concerns from Chandigarh International Airport Limited and the Indian Air Force about bird activity near the Jagatpura plant pose safety risks.
Officials are actively seeking solutions, with GMADA proposing to integrate its areas into MC limits for solid waste processing. While a permanent waste processing plant at Samgoli village is projected to be operational in two years, the immediate challenge involves identifying temporary or permanent dumping sites. Talks are ongoing to find an interim solution until the Samgoli plant is functional.
