A major confrontation has erupted in Mohali's civic body over the dismal state of infrastructure in sectors recently transferred from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The Municipal Corporation House witnessed intense debates on Friday, with councillors unanimously demanding a separate ₹1,000 crore fund from GMADA to address the critical lack of basic civic amenities.
Unanimous Demand for Development Funds
Councillors from across party lines highlighted that the sectors brought under the Corporation's jurisdiction suffer from severe neglect. They argued that meaningful development, proper sanitation, and waste management are impossible without dedicated financial resources. The population in these areas is rising rapidly, but civic resources have failed to keep pace, causing daily hardships for residents.
Taking a firm stand, Mayor Amarjit Sidhu stated that the Corporation must receive at least ₹1,000 crore from GMADA. He declared that without adequate funding, the proper development of these transferred sectors is simply not feasible. The mayor directed officials to arrange a high-level meeting with GMADA at the earliest to press this demand forcefully.
He presented a stark ultimatum: either GMADA provides the necessary funds for development, or the option of removing these areas from the Municipal Corporation's limits should be considered. "Keeping areas within the Corporation with incomplete development is an injustice to the public," Mayor Sidhu asserted.
Funding for Roads, Sewerage, and RMC Points
The detailed funding proposal covers a wide range of essential infrastructure projects. This includes the construction and repair of roads, upgrading sewerage networks, installing functional streetlights, and developing parks. The demand also encompasses special cleanliness drives, establishing designated waste disposal sites, and setting up Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) points.
Beyond the funding debate, the House also decided to formulate a clear policy for installing planters and railings outside houses in GMADA's new sectors. This move aims to prevent encroachment on public land. The Corporation plans to formally approach GMADA to define permissible limits for such installations.
Heated Exchanges and Allegations of Favouritism
The proceedings turned contentious when Mayor Sidhu accused the Deputy Mayor of "serious misconduct." He alleged that copies of resolutions passed by the House were being taken and used publicly to claim personal credit. "Stealing House documents to take public credit is against the dignity of this House," the Mayor warned, stating such practices would not be tolerated.
Further uproar ensued when the Mayor accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of favouritism. He alleged that tenders and work orders were being issued exclusively in societies linked to AAP councillors. "The Corporation's duty is to ensure fair development of all areas, not just select societies," he remarked, triggering prolonged protests in the House.
Councillors Highlight Local Issues
During the session, councillors raised specific grievances from their wards. Councillor Gurpreet Kaur from Matour village highlighted the illegal occupation of Corporation land, where buffaloes have been tied for four years without any action from authorities.
Councillor Harjeet Bholu brought attention to the persistent garbage heaps on the B-road in Sector 79. He alleged that despite repeated complaints, no permanent solution has been implemented, and cleaning efforts are only superficial for photographic purposes.
The House also sought clarity on the anti-encroachment drive, questioning whether the responsibility lies with GMADA or the Corporation. Councillors demanded that the campaign be conducted in a fair, transparent, and rule-based manner, with action taken against influential encroachers without discrimination to maintain the drive's credibility.
Amidst the heated discussions, the House managed to pass four out of six proposals within just 15 minutes, though the primary focus remained firmly on securing development funds for the GMADA-transferred sectors.
