The proposed regional integrated solid waste management facility at Samgoli has come under scrutiny over its prolonged delay, with the Confederation of Greater Mohali Residents Welfare Associations (regd.) approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT), citing environmental and public health concerns.
According to the residents’ body, the project was conceived over a decade ago and around 50 acres were acquired in 2017. Nearly 39 acres were subsequently handed over to the Mohali municipal corporation (MC) in 2020. However, the facility is yet to become operational, they said.
The associations said that several proposals have been considered over the years, including waste-to-energy, a collaboration with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), biomethanation and Compressed Biogas (CBG).
The confederation said a detailed project report (DPR), statutory approvals and tendering processes had also been undertaken, but a tender issued in 2020 for construction of a boundary wall was later cancelled.
Open dumping, burning continue
Citing proceedings of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) dated June 5, 2026, the confederation said Greater Mohali continued to face problems of open dumping, waste burning and inadequate scientific processing of municipal waste.
Confederation president KK Saini said residents had repeatedly approached the MC commissioner and senior officials of the local government department seeking clarity on the project’s status and a firm timeline for its completion. However, he alleged, no reliable deadline had been provided.
{{/usCountry}}Confederation president KK Saini said residents had repeatedly approached the MC commissioner and senior officials of the local government department seeking clarity on the project’s status and a firm timeline for its completion. However, he alleged, no reliable deadline had been provided.
{{/usCountry}}The confederation has asked the NGT to seek detailed status reports from the Punjab government, local government department, Mohali MC, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) and PPCB.
It has sought information on the project’s present status, proposed technology and capacity, approved cost, statutory clearances, previous tenders, reasons for cancellations and the urban local bodies that would be covered by the facility.
Residents seek time-bound completion
The residents’ body has also sought a coordinated, time-bound action plan for commissioning the facility and strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
It has urged the tribunal to direct GMADA to ensure adequate waste-processing infrastructure before approving major future urban development projects and sought periodic compliance reports to monitor progress.
Meanwhile, Mohali mayor Sarabjeet Singh Samana said the civic body was working towards improving connectivity to the proposed facility. “The tender for making the approach road to the Samgoli location will be floated soon, as the estimates have already been prepared,” he said.
HC pulls up Mohali MC over delay (BOX)
The Punjab and Haryana high court has also expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in setting up the waste management plant at Samgoli village. In its August 6 order, the court noted that land acquisition proceedings had started in 2012, with the award declared on May 10, 2017.
The MC, in an affidavit, stated that attempts to establish the plant had not materialised due to lack of effective bids and that a request for proposal (RFP) was being prepared. The court, however, said it was “not impressed” by the affidavit, observing that details of the efforts made had not been placed on record. It directed the MC chief to file a personal affidavit with the original project report, capacity assessment and a clear roadmap with timelines by August 28.