Panchkula: Even as the municipal corporation has withheld over Rs 5.5 crore from its waste contractor in 15 months over repeated lapses, residents say door-to-door garbage collection in the city continues to be erratic and unreliable.Pooja Consultations Co has faced nearly 20% deductions from its payments between Jan 2025 and April 2026 (March figures unavailable). Of the Rs 27.47 crore billed during the period, Rs 5.52 crore was withheld and Rs 21.95 crore released, according to urban local bodies department data.Monthly penalties have remained steep — Rs 45 lakh was cut from Rs 2.24 crore in Jan 2025 and Rs 60.66 lakh from Rs 1.90 crore in Feb. The highest deduction, Rs 63 lakh, was recorded in April 2026 from a Rs 2 crore bill.Residents question why the agency continues despite persistent deficiencies, pointing to chronic under-deployment of staff and vehicles, missed routes and lack of fixed schedules. “Portal data and ground reality show glaring discrepancies and operational mismanagement,” said Mohit Gupta of residents’ group Solution Box.MC commissioner Vinay Kumar acknowledged multiple shortcomings, including poor monitoring, illegal collectors, missed areas and outdated GPS tracking. “As this is an essential service, the agency cannot be removed immediately. Penalties are being imposed and a new RFP is being prepared. Nearly 90% of vehicles are now GPS-tracked,” he said.The agency did not respond to queries.BOXPenalties & lapsesTotal billed: Rs 27.47 crDeducted: Rs 5.52 cr (20%)Highest monthly cut: Rs 63 lakh (Apr 2026)Deductions ongoing since Jan 2025Key issues: staff/vehicle shortage, erratic routes, missed areas, weak monitoring
