After months of deliberations, the Punjab Local Government Department on Saturday issued the final notification for the long-awaited expansion of Mohali Municipal Corporation’s limits. The new boundary includes several areas adjoining Landran, Chhapparchiri and the Kharar border localities that were missing from the earlier draft and had sparked resentment among residents.
With these additions, the size and population of the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) will increase substantially, paving the way for a major reshuffle in the administrative setup. The number of wards, currently 50, is now expected to rise to around 75. Following the boundary expansion, the MC administration will have to undertake the process of creating new wards, deploying staff zone-wise, redistributing budget allocations and preparing revised development plans. The upcoming MC elections are also likely to be conducted as per the new delimitation.
14 villages included; Badmajra left out
The final notification brings the following villages into the MC fold — Balongi, Ballomajra Baliayali, Landran, Lakhnour, Chhapparchiri Khurd, Chhapparchiri Kalan, Mauli Baidwan, Kambali, Rudka, Sambalki, Chilla, Nanumajra and others — 14 in total.
However, Badmajra has not been included, leaving locals disappointed.
Residents of Balongi erupted in joy after the notification was released. For years, they had been demanding MC inclusion to ensure access to basic amenities. With Balongi, TDI City, Green Enclave and surrounding pockets now officially part of Mohali MC, locals expect long-pending improvements in roads, sewerage, water supply, street lighting and sanitation. Many termed the decision a “victory of their long struggle”.
Anger in Badmajra
In contrast, residents of Badmajra expressed discontent over being excluded. Locals said they, too, had been demanding inclusion for a long time but their concerns were ignored. They announced plans to seek reconsideration from the government.
Reacting to the notification, constituency MLA Kulwant Singh said the government had taken a “pro-people decision in line with public demand.” He said, “some areas were left out in the earlier draft. Their residents met me and sought inclusion. I conveyed their sentiments to the government, and now the revised notification reflects those demands. I thank the government for honouring people’s wishes”.
Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi welcomed the new boundary, saying the government was compelled to revise the limits due to public pressure. “Most areas proposed in the 2021 municipal resolution have finally been included. Residents even fought a legal battle for this. This is truly the victory of people’s unity and persistence,” he said.
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Commenting on the simultaneous notifications for MC boundary expansion and the upcoming Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections, SAD district president Parvinder Singh Sohana demanded immediate clarity from the government.
“The government must clearly state whether residents of the 14 newly added villages can contest Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections or only MC elections. The overlapping orders have created confusion. The government should clarify this without delay,” Sohana added.
