Mohali: The
garbage dumps that greet people at the entrance of Mohali are not in its municipal limits and so cannot be lifted. It seems that Sawchh Bharat Mission stops where the city ends.
The mountains of waste along the road from Balongi to the cremation ground have become eyesores. More dumps are along the Landran-Chunni road leading into the city. For months, the civic administration has been supporting the idea of a clean India but hasn't done anything practical to achieve the campaign's target. Municipal commissioner Sandeep Hans said: "Since the spots at the entrance are outside our jurisdiction, it restricts us from lifting garbage."
Mohali deputy commissioner Gurpreeet Kaur Sapra seeks public sensitisation and participation for the success of the campaign. "For giving a new direction to Swach Bharat Mission in the district, sanitation campaign 'Swachta Hi Sewa' was launched on September 15 to cover schools, Anganwari centres, and public toilets," she said. The residents were disappointed to see the programme lose steam in a couple of days.
Small garbage dumps can be seen across the city as well. The major spots are on the road from Bawa White House to Niper in Phase 3A; at Industrial Area Phases IX, 8-B, and VII; opposite the community center in Sector 71; and on the crossroads of Phase V and Industrial Area Phase V. The dumps are in residential areas as well. Bhagat Singh, who lives in Phase VII, said: "I have been watching these campaigns for many years but I have never seen the garbage being cleared. The only thing that changes is its spot."
Confronted, deputy commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra said: "Public's participation in the administration's campaigns will help us remove all the garbage dumps. The general public needs to be not only sensitised but also self-disciplined to avoid littering." She said the enforcement and block development officers had orders to involve social organisations and mohalla committees in the campaigns to tidy up the surroundings.
Deputy mayor Manjit Singh Sethi called for action against the company responsible for waste management in the city, since by the look of the city, it has failed to do its job. Sethi said the condition of wards 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, besides the markets of Phases 3B1 and 3B2, was the worst. Garbage heaps occupy roadsides, bends, and even front yards on the inner roads.
