Mohali's Garbage Management Hits a Roadblock Again
The city of Mohali faced a severe escalation in its solid waste management troubles this Sunday. Operations at the crucial Jagatpura waste processing plant came to a complete standstill. This disruption led to a long queue of garbage trolleys stranded outside the facility, sparking renewed anxiety among the city's residents about a looming sanitation crisis.
Operational Halt Due to Market Glut
Confirming the suspension, Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh pointed to a critical supply chain breakdown. He explained that the processed refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from the plant is typically sold to various factories for use in their boilers. However, these factories have temporarily stopped procuring the material. This sudden stoppage left the plant's contractor with no outlet for the processed waste, forcing them to halt all incoming garbage processing.
"As a result, the contractor is handicapped in continuing operations," Singh stated. He assured that the civic body is actively making efforts to resolve the impasse and restart the plant at the earliest possible moment.
Aviation Safety Concerns and Clean-Up Drive
The commissioner also addressed ongoing concerns raised by aviation authorities. The dumping site had previously been flagged as a hotspot for bird congregation, which significantly increases the risk of bird strikes for aircraft—a serious aviation hazard. Singh mentioned that as a preventive measure, the entire dumping area has been covered to deter birds.
In related clean-up actions, the official noted that four Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) points in the vicinity have been cleared of waste. He promised that the remaining sites would be cleaned within the next few days.
Mounting Pressure for a Sustainable Fix
This latest shutdown has put the Mohali Municipal Corporation under intense pressure once again. Authorities had earlier been warned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) that failure to mitigate the bird-attraction problem could lead to a major incident. With processing halted, the immediate challenge is to clear the accumulating waste and find a temporary workaround.
However, the recurring nature of these disruptions underscores a deeper, systemic issue. The incident has intensified calls for the MC to move beyond stop-gap arrangements and develop a robust, long-term solution for Mohali's perennial waste management system, ensuring such crises do not repeat.
