Hundreds of vacant plots lying scattered across Mohali are fast turning into health hazards due to accumulated waste, filth, and rainwater. Despite collecting crores of rupees annually under the non-construction fee, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has failed to ensure cleanliness in these areas, claimed residents.
Many property owners, in an attempt to avoid the non-construction fee, have built only 25 per cent of the structure and enclosed the plots with boundary walls then left them unattended. As a result, these plots become dumping grounds and breeding spots for mosquitoes and disease-carrying pests.
Significantly, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Mohali does not undertake cleaning of such private plots. Officials argue that these plots are privately owned, and the civic body is not responsible for their upkeep. Moreover, as the GMADA collects significant revenue under the non-construction Fee, residents insist the responsibility of maintenance lies with it.
Taking serious note of the issue, Mohali Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Komal Mittal has issued strict directives regarding the cleanliness of vacant plots. “Most residential plots, booths, and showrooms in the city fall under the GMADA’s jurisdiction. The accumulation of waste in these areas promotes the growth of mosquitoes and harmful insects, increasing the risk of serious illnesses like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya,” she said.
Invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the District Magistrate ordered immediate cleaning of all vacant plots and directed that they be enclosed with permanent walls or fencing to prevent further dumping.
“If owners or occupants fail to carry out cleaning themselves, the GMADA, municipal councils, or panchayats will do the needful, and the expenses will be recovered from the respective owners,” the order stated. Violators will face penalties and legal action.
These orders, effective from June 27, will remain in force until further notice. The administration said the move aims to ensure a clean and healthy environment for Mohali residents.
