The Punjab government's recent decision to significantly expand the boundaries of the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) has ignited a firestorm of public protest, creating a complex civic standoff. Residents from both the newly included areas and those left out are up in arms, presenting a rare scenario of conflicting demands that highlights deep-seated issues in urban governance.
What Did the Government Decide?
On November 29, the state administration formally brought 14 villages and several developing urban sectors under the jurisdiction of the Mohali MC. This major territorial expansion includes prominent and fast-growing areas such as Aerocity, IT City, the TDI sectors (117–118), and ATS developments. Newly incorporated sectors also include numbers 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88-89, 90-91, 93, and 94.
The villages now part of the municipal corporation are Lakhnour, Landran, Balongi, Balyali, Ballo Majra, Nanu Majra, Mauli Baidwan, Sambhalki, and Chapparchiri. The government stated that it reviewed over 150 objections before finalising the new civic boundaries.
Why Are Included Villages Protesting?
Contrary to expectations, inclusion has not been welcomed by all. Villagers from areas like Rurka have strongly opposed the move, claiming they were never properly consulted. Their primary fear is that urban regulations will disrupt their traditional way of life and joint family housing structures.
Many residents worry that stricter municipal building bylaws, particularly concerning height restrictions and setback rules, will stifle development within their ancestral lands. The most significant concern, however, is financial. There is widespread anxiety about increased taxation, with residents anticipating a heavy burden from property tax and other municipal charges.
This fear is compounded by the perceived lack of basic services. Protesters argue that even in previously merged villages, essentials like sanitation, drainage, street lighting, and reliable water supply remain inadequate. "Why should we pay more when there is no improvement in facilities?" questioned one aggrieved resident, capturing the sentiment of many.
The Other Side: Protests from Excluded Urban Areas
In a stark contrast, residents of rapidly urbanising zones that were left out of the MC expansion are also protesting, but for the opposite reason. People living in areas like TDI City, the Balongi belt, and the newer sectors feel neglected and excluded from the civic body's purview.
These residents have long struggled with poor infrastructure and overlapping jurisdiction issues between the MC and the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). They believe that inclusion in the municipal corporation would guarantee planned development, better civic management, and fair political representation.
For them, being part of the MC is linked to enhanced property values, smoother approvals for home construction, and direct accountability from elected councillors. "We contribute to the city's economy but receive no urban services," lamented a resident of TDI City, highlighting the sense of injustice felt in these developing urban pockets.
A Governance Conundrum
The situation in Mohali presents a classic governance dilemma. The state government's move to extend urban administration has inadvertently satisfied no one fully, instead creating two opposing camps. On one side, traditional village communities fear the loss of autonomy and an unfair tax burden without corresponding service upgrades. On the other, modern urban settlers in developing sectors demand formal inclusion to access the services and planning they believe they are owed.
This standoff reflects the varying expectations from urban governance in a rapidly expanding city. It underscores the critical need for transparent consultation and a clear communication of the benefits and responsibilities that come with a change in civic status. The resolution of this complex issue will likely set a precedent for future urban expansion across Punjab.
