The Mohali Municipal Corporation has expanded its jurisdiction through a new notification, bringing several private colonies, newly developed GMADA sectors and 15 villages under its ambit. While residents are hopeful of improved civic services, the corporation has made it clear that maintenance responsibilities will begin only after these areas are fully developed and formally handed over by private developers or GMADA.
This means residents of newly added areas should not expect immediate municipal services. However, they are now within the Mohali MC limit, and they will have to pay the property tax to the Mohali MC from day one.
Earlier, residents of TDI had met MLA Kulwant Singh after the first notification excluded their area. At that time, Kulwant Singh had clarified that although property tax would be applicable from day one, the MC would take over maintenance only after developers complete all development work and hand over the area officially. He emphasised that this rule would apply equally to the projects developed by his own company.
Meanwhile, residents of GMADA’s Aerocity and IT City continue to face serious issues, poor road conditions, faulty underground power cables and temporary electricity supply routed through bamboo poles. These shortcomings indicate that these sectors are not yet ready for handover to the Municipal Corporation.
Following the notification, land prices in several villages, including Balongi, Baliyali, Ballo Majra and those near the airport have surged. However, many villagers have opposed their inclusion under the MC, arguing that they can manage development through their panchayats and that being incorporated without consultation is unfair.
Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh Sandhu, detailing the process, said a joint committee has been formed with representatives from the Rural Development Department, GMADA and private builders. This committee will inspect roads, sewerage, streetlights and all infrastructure road-by-road and sewer line–by–sewer line. Any incomplete work will either be completed by the agency concerned or the cost will be recovered from them. According to the commissioner, the takeover process is expected to be completed within a couple of months.
