200 encroachments razed in a single day in Mohali

They made it clear that no illegal encroachment would be tolerated and warned that legal action would be initiated against violators wherever required.

Residents were advised not to carry out any construction beyond their property limits, failing which such structures would be removed by the corporation.

The drive triggered mixed reactions among residents. While some welcomed the action as a necessary step for improving civic order and public safety, others complained that adequate time and prior notice were not given, resulting in financial losses, especially where residents had undertaken landscaping or fencing at their own expense.

Municipal officials said the anti-encroachment drive would continue in other sectors of Mohali in the coming days, with sustained monitoring to ensure that all illegal encroachments are removed.

Meanwhile, former Mohali councillor Paramjit Singh Kahlon claimed, “Several residents had developed landscaping on land adjacent to their houses beyond the government footpath and installed fencing or grills for safety. These were demolished during the drive, causing financial losses and affecting the aesthetic value of vacant government land.”

Another area councillor, Anuradha Anand, and her husband and social activist Tinku Anand said that they fully respect the high court’s orders, but stressed that GMADA and the MC must first clearly define their policies, which are very confusing.

“There should be clarity on how much space residents are legally permitted to use beyond their properties, including norms for gates, fencing, hedges and distance from roads,” they said.

They also pointed out that after demolitions, large stretches of land have been left vacant, with no clear plan for cleanliness, maintenance or repair of damaged civic infrastructure. “There is still no clarity on who will clean the cleared areas or repair damaged works previously carried out by GMADA or the MC,” they added.

They also alleged selective enforcement, claiming that encroachments by beggars and squatters in several areas, including Phase 7, remain untouched. “The action appears to be directed only against ordinary residents who regularly pay property tax and other civic taxes,” they alleged, demanding equal and non-discriminatory action.

Background

The drive stems from a 2020 Punjab and Haryana High Court direction, ordering the removal of widespread illegal encroachments in Mohali.

The action was stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later delayed by the 2022 elections.

In 2023, GMADA issued public notices seeking voluntary removal of encroachments, but no major action followed.

In 2024, the petitioner filed a contempt of court case, prompting the high court to summon officials of GMADA, the district administration and the MC, after which the current drive began.

Notably, the drive initially started in Phase 4, then shifted to Phase 11 and Phase 10, where protests and alleged influence stalled action. It has now reached Phase 7, which falls under the mayor’s ward.

During a recent House meeting, former Deputy Mayor Manjit Singh Sethi named several influential individuals allegedly involved in large-scale encroachments.

While the Municipal Commissioner had assured that “No one is above the law,” Sethi has since reiterated that the action reflects a “pick-and-choose policy”, warning that he would approach the court over selective enforcement.