In a step towards resolving the long-pending issue of wet waste disposal in the city and surrounding areas, the Mohali municipal corporation (MC) House on Monday approved a proposal to establish a compressed biogas plant at Samgauli village in Dera Bassi. The House passed around 10 other proposals unanimously, while councillors also raised a number of local issues.
Councillor Paramjit Singh Kahlon objected to the proposal, saying bus operators already had several expenses, and sought a reduction in the proposed charges. Besides the wet waste, 15 to 20 tonnes of cattle dung is also proposed to be supplied to the plant. Brakes on bus parking fee proposal A proposal to charge private and school buses ₹ 1,000 a day for parking was put on hold after councillors raised concerns over the financial burden it could create for operators and, indirectly, parents.
Wet waste from nine urban local bodies – Mohali, Zirakpur, Kharar, Nayagaon, Dera Bassi, Kurali, Lalru, Banur and Gharuan – will be transported to the plant daily for processing, according to the proposal.
Congress councillor Narpinder Singh Rangi said higher parking expenses could prompt schools to increase transportation charges, ultimately affecting parents. MLA Kulwant Singh, however, said schools were bound by government rules governing fee increases and could not arbitrarily raise charges.
Congress councillor Narpinder Singh Rangi demanded that all House members be provided information about proposals approved by the finance and contract Committee. Kahlon questioned the city’s sanitation system and suggested that the entire cleaning operation be handed over to a single contractor. He particularly flagged waste collection in markets, saying even small dustbins were not emptied on time at several locations.
Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana said the members’ concerns would be examined and the proposal would be revised, if required, before being brought back in the next House meeting.
