The city of Mohali is facing one of its biggest civic challenges yet a growing garbage crisis that shows no signs of slowing down. With no permanent dumping ground and piles of trash accumulating in almost every neighbourhood, the situation has turned from inconvenient to alarming.
Residents, civic workers, and experts all agree on one thing — Mohali’s waste problem is no longer a future concern. It’s a full-blown emergency.
How the Crisis Began
The roots of this crisis go back nearly 18 months, when the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a ban on dumping waste at the Phase 8B site. The move came after environmental concerns were raised over unscientific dumping and pollution risks.
The ban left the Municipal Corporation (MC) scrambling for alternatives. A new site was identified at Samgoli village, but years later, the land still remains undeveloped — no wall, no access road, no progress.
Without a functional dumping ground, Mohali’s waste has had nowhere to go.
Overflowing Waste and Choked Corners
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Today, almost every Resource Management Centre (RMC) in the city there are 14 of them is overflowing with waste. The piles spill over onto roads and footpaths, and the stench in some areas is unbearable.
Sanitation workers say they have no choice but to leave garbage in open spots because there’s simply no space left. As a result, residential colonies, markets, and even school surroundings are now dotted with garbage heaps.
The sight is not just unpleasant — it’s unsafe. “We can’t even open our windows anymore,” said a resident of Phase 5. “The smell, the flies, the fear of infections — it’s affecting our daily life.”
When Patience Ran Out
After months of inaction, frustration boiled over. In August 2025, residents of Phase 5 took matters into their own hands — they locked the gates of the RMC in protest and announced an indefinite strike.
Their demand was simple: stop dumping garbage near residential areas until a proper site is ready. But despite repeated assurances from authorities, little has changed on the ground.
Politics Over Public Health
As the city’s waste piles up, political blame-shifting has only intensified.
Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu blames the Local Government Department for dragging its feet on the Samgoli project. “My warnings have had no effect so far,” he said, expressing frustration at the delay.
Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has accused GMADA of negligence, saying coordination between departments has completely broken down.
Caught in the middle of this tug-of-war are the citizens paying the price for administrative paralysis and political rivalry.
Health and Economic Concerns
Doctors and environmentalists warn that the crisis could soon spiral into a public health emergency. The mix of unsegregated waste, stagnant water, and open dumping sites is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and infections.
Residents have reported an increase in respiratory problems and cases of dengue and skin allergies.
The local business community is also alarmed. “Who will invest in a city that can’t manage its own waste?” asked a Mohali-based industrialist, warning that the situation could hurt Mohali’s reputation as an emerging business hub.
A Drop in Cleanliness Rankings
The consequences are already visible. In the latest Swachh Survekshan rankings, Mohali’s position has fallen sharply. Once known for its clean and green image, the city is now struggling to even maintain basic sanitation standards.
Temporary Fixes, Permanent Delays
The Municipal Corporation has attempted several stopgap solutions, but none have provided long-term relief:
Bioremediation of Legacy Waste: The MC started clearing old waste at the Phase 8B site in 2024. However, the daily inflow of fresh garbage has far outpaced cleanup efforts.
Small Processing Units: Two mini plants in Shahimajra and Jagatpura handle part of the waste but lack the capacity to manage the city’s full output.
Private Contractors: In July 2025, the MC hired a temporary contractor to segregate and process garbage, but without a final dumping site, this solution is only a short pause in a long crisis.
Environmental experts say Mohali needs scientific waste management, not patchwork efforts. “Without a clear action plan and accountability, the crisis will only worsen,” says an urban waste management researcher from Panjab University.
What Needs to Happen Next
Experts suggest a three-step approach to bring the situation under control:
Speed up development of the Samgoli site with proper environmental safeguards.
Decentralize waste processing to reduce pressure on central facilities.
Engage citizens and RWAs in segregation, recycling, and awareness programs.
Residents, too, are calling for transparency. “We don’t just want promises,” says Seema Sharma, an activist from Sector 71. “We want a clear timeline and public updates on progress.”
A City Waiting for Action
For now, Mohali continues to wait for political will, administrative coordination, and a permanent solution.
Until that happens, the city’s streets, markets, and parks will remain a painful reminder of what happens when urban growth outpaces civic planning and when accountability takes a backseat to politics.
