Mohali: Mohali’s waste management crisis is taking a dangerous turn, with garbage dumps being repeatedly set on fire across the city. On Thursday, a massive garbage heap at the RMC point near the Kisan Mandi site in Phase 5-Shahi Majra was allegedly torched, marking at least the fourth such incident reported in the past three weeks.As thick smoke billowed from the burning waste and drifted towards nearby residential pockets, fire tenders were rushed to the site to prevent the blaze from spreading. The dump is located close to Shahi Majra village and industrial units, raising concerns over prolonged exposure of residents and workers to smoke and pollutants released from burning mixed municipal waste.The recurring incidents have put the municipal corporation’s monitoring of garbage collection points under scrutiny. Residents and opposition parties questioned how large heaps of waste continue to accumulate and why vulnerable dumping sites are repeatedly being targeted without any apparent preventive measures.The latest incident comes days after a garbage dump near the MC office in Sector 68 was allegedly set ablaze. Smaller garbage heaps have also been reported burning at several locations across the city in recent weeks, fuelling concerns over both public health and civic oversight.Residents of Shahi Majra said toxic smoke engulfed the area Thursday. “Our houses are filled with smoke. We have repeatedly opposed the garbage point here, but nobody listened,” said resident Krishan Kumar, who suspected the fire was the handiwork of an insider.The incident also triggered a political storm, with BJP and Congress leaders attacking the AAP-led civic administration over what they termed repeated failures in waste management and monitoring of garbage dumps.BLURB:With four garbage dumps allegedly torched in three weeks, Mohali residents are questioning the MC’s ability to secure waste collection sites and prevent a recurring environmental hazard.
