Protest over the new site selected for shifting Mohali’s garbage dumping ground gained momentum on Thursday with Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) announcing support to the movement and threatening mass public agitation against Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

Residents of around 12 villages, including Swara, Rasanheri, Jhanjeri, Landran, Tirpari, Niamian, Daonmajra and others in its vicinity, are strongly opposing GMADA’s decision to acquire 58 acres land in the area to dump an estimated 80 tonnes of untreated garbage and solid waste daily generated by Mohali’s 2.5 lakh population.

GMADA had recently initiated proceedings to acquire the land.

Joining hands with the villagers, BKU (Lakhowal) state senior vice-president Shamsher Singh Gharuan and state executive member-cum-district president Sewa Singh asked GMADA authorities to immediately withdraw the decision or face agitation.

BKU members argued that not only were villagers against the compulsory acquisition of their land at throwaway prices; they were also not ready to let it be used for dumping garbage.

Up in arms against the move, the area residents have already adopted a unanimous resolution to oppose the decision of GMADA.

Block Samiti vice-chairperson Paramjeet Kaur Gill, Landran village sarpanch Sunder Singh, Tirpari village sarpanch Kulwant Singh, Niamian village sarpanch Avtar Singh, Daonmajra village sarpanch Naib Singh, Panchayat Association general secretary Harminder Singh Mawi, Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee president Amar Singh, former SGPC member Sadhu Singh Todarmajra, Harinderpal Singh Billa, Master Kuldeep Singh, Tarlochan Singh Sidhu, Darshan Singh, Gian Singh, Daljeet Singh Gabbemajra and Rachhpal Singh had earlier announced to take up the matter with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for issuing directions to GMADA to withdraw the decision.

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