Greater Mohali authority turns blind eye to dumping of garbage

Road users and locals residents have slammed the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for failing to clear garbage strewn along the Airport Road, near TDI City, Sector 74, despite their repeated pleas.

“Our repeated requests, written complaints and phone calls have failed to move GMADA. It seems there is no accountability in the authority,” said Brig HS Brar(retd), a resident of TDI City.

Area residents and road users said the garbage was not picked up for weeks and when they complained about the messy situation, someone set it on fire. Thick smoke becomes a potential hazard for fast moving vehicles on this accident-prone stretch at night.

“Toxic smoke released from burning plastic is making life hell for the area residents. While people are complaining of dangerous AQI levels, here the story is something else. Residents in nearby societies are forced to close doors and windows due to toxic smoke emanating from the burning garbage,” said Pawan K Gupta, a senior citizen.

Cow dung, plastic waste and garbage have also choked the natural stream below the bridge.

The area residents allege that GMADA’s Public Health Department is totally defunct now. There is no sanitation wing in GMADA. The authority has outsourced the work to two agencies on contract, but that too is not being supervised for reasons best known to them, they added.

When contacted, a GMADA official said, “The garbage will be removed tomorrow.”