Mohali:
The garbage management problem in Mohali is becoming increasingly serious. Garbage heaps can frequently be seen along roadsides, in vacant plots, markets and designated waste collection points, causing inconvenience to residents. The situation becomes even more alarming when the garbage dumped in the open repeatedly catches fire. A special and time-bound plan must be prepared by the Municipal Corporation to find a permanent solution to the problem.
Former Councillor Satvir Singh Dhanoa said that responsibility for garbage management should not be limited to contractors alone. The Municipal Corporation officials must also ensure regular monitoring and accountability. He demanded that copies of all agreements signed with sanitation contractors be made available to all councillors as well as registered welfare organisations in the city.
He said that a proper assessment must be conducted to verify whether contractors are actually deploying the machinery, vehicles and sanitation workers specified in their agreements. Making these agreements public would enable councillors, welfare organisations and residents to monitor whether the contractors are fulfilling their responsibilities on the ground.
He further stressed that the work assigned to contractors should be inspected daily and Municipal Corporation officials must maintain regular supervision. Strict action, including penalties, should be taken against contractors found neglecting their duties, as per the terms and conditions of their contracts.
Putting forward several important suggestions to improve waste management, he called for identifying and preparing a list of all old garbage dumping points across the city, ensuring daily cleaning of frequently affected locations and gradually eliminating open dumping points. He also suggested monitoring contractors through GPS tracking, photographic evidence and surprise inspections.
Other key recommendations included ensuring separate collection of wet and dry waste, scientific waste processing and appointing a responsible officer in every ward to prepare weekly progress reports.
He proposed that the Municipal Corporation should launch a special 30-day ‘Garbage Point Elimination Mission’ to address the issue on a priority basis. Registered welfare organisations in the city should also be involved in the campaign by including their voluntary members, who can actively work alongside Municipal Corporation officials to make the initiative successful.
He said that all old garbage dumping points should be cleaned, with permanent arrangements put in place to prevent garbage from accumulating at these locations again.
Concluding his statement, he said that proper waste management is not just the responsibility of the government and Municipal Corporation but also a collective responsibility of every citizen. Only through coordinated efforts by the Municipal Corporation, contractors, welfare organisations and residents can Mohali overcome its garbage problem permanently.
