The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has called for updated status reports from the Municipal Corporation (MC) of Mohali and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) regarding solid waste management and overall cleanliness in the town. The directive was issued during the hearing of an original application, Punjab Judges & Officers Rural Cooperative Housing Building Society Ltd vs State of Punjab & Others.
NGT's Directions and Timeline
The bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (chairperson) and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, reviewed the responses previously submitted by Mohali MC and PPCB. The tribunal granted the civic body six weeks to file a further status report, while PPCB was also permitted to submit an additional report within the same period. The applicant has been given eight weeks to file a rejoinder.
Mohali MC's Submission
Mohali MC informed the tribunal that remedial measures have been taken and waste cleared from the site. It stated that regular operations, including manual and mechanical sweeping and litter-picking, are being carried out in affected areas such as Airport Road and adjoining green belts. The civic body also submitted that directions have been issued to install tin boundaries and repair gates and boundary walls at the Resource Management Centre (RMC) point in Sector 77 to improve the area's upkeep. Additionally, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has been asked to maintain cleanliness and develop protective infrastructure on adjoining vacant land.
PPCB's Inspection Findings
PPCB, in its submission, noted that during an inspection on April 29, the service road near the material recovery facility (MRF) was found clear of waste. However, unsegregated mixed waste was still lying on open land adjoining the Kharar-Airport Road stretch. The board stated that the issue had been flagged to MC officials for necessary action.
Next Hearing
The matter is now listed for further hearing on August 14.
