Mohali, Aug 11 — Residents of Phase 4 and 5 in Mohali have begun an indefinite sit-in against the Phase 5 Shahi Majra dumping ground, locking its gates and stopping garbage trucks from entering. They say the site’s foul smell, health hazards, and years of broken promises from authorities have left them with no choice but to demand its immediate removal.
Councillor Ashok Jha alleged that waste often remains at the site for months. “Sometimes garbage stays here for two months. The stench and unhygienic conditions have made it difficult for residents to eat or even sleep in peace. We have decided not to allow any garbage trucks to enter,” he said.
Residents including Harbir Singh, L.K. Tripathi, Swarn Kaur, Uma Yadav, Kiranbir Sethi, and Hardeep Kang said the dumping ground’s proximity to expensive homes has created “unbearable” living conditions. “The foul smell lingers round the clock, making it hard to breathe. Even guests hesitate to visit. The open garbage attracts mosquitoes, flies, and stray animals, raising the risk of diseases,” they said.
Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu visited the protest site on Monday and promised the dumping ground would be removed by August 30. But locals dismissed his assurance as “mere formality,” saying similar promises had been made in the past without action.
Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, who joined the protest, said he had opposed the site since its approval. “If action had been taken one-and-a-half years ago, we wouldn’t be facing this crisis today. The delay in allotting alternative land by GMADA is the main hurdle,” he said.
Bedi added that the proposed alternative site in Samgoli is not ready, with no waste-processing plant or access roads, making it unfit for immediate use.
