Anti-encroachment drive in Mohali faces resistance; protests halt action for two hours

According to officials, after completing action in Phase 3B1 around 2:30 pm, the MC team moved to Phase 3B2. The drive ran into trouble when the owner of House No. 1763 strongly objected to the demolition. Within minutes, local residents gathered at the site, escalating tensions and forcing the civic authorities to temporarily halt the operation.

JCB machines of the MC and GMADA remove encroachments during an anti-encroachment drive in Phases 3B1 and 3B2, Mohali, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

In view of the situation, MC officials immediately sought police assistance. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Matour police station, along with police personnel, reached the spot and cautioned the protesting home owner that obstructing government work is a punishable offence and could invite legal action. Following deliberations between the police and civic officials, it was decided that two houses 1763 and 1762 would be given time until Wednesday to voluntarily remove their encroachments. Thereafter, the MC team resumed action at other locations.

Resistance was also reported earlier in Phase 3B1, particularly in the canal housing area, where some residents opposed the removal of encroachments. The situation nearly escalated into physical altercations. Despite the opposition, the MC continued the drive under police protection and cleared several illegal structures.

Some residents also raised objections, alleging that even when certain people were removing the encroachments on their own after calling in labour and dismantling the structures themselves the GMADA team deployed a JCB and demolished the entire structure, causing additional damage, without issuing any warning.

The Municipal Corporation has urged residents to voluntarily remove illegal encroachments, stating that such obstructions hinder traffic movement, pose safety risks, and cause inconvenience to the public. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

At the same time, residents alleged that at other locations, several people were instructed repeatedly up to 10 times on how to remove the encroachments, and were also given time to dismantle the structures on their own.“There was discrimination in the manner of action during the drive,”the residents alleged.

Notably, residences of some senior Punjab government officials are also located in Phase 3B1. Encroachments outside these houses were also removed. MC officials maintained that the action was carried out “without any discrimination.”

MC’s Appeal

The Municipal Corporation has urged residents to voluntarily remove illegal encroachments, stating that such obstructions hinder traffic movement, pose safety risks, and cause inconvenience to the public. Officials warned that future enforcement action may be carried out even without prior notice.

Allegations of Bias Over Granting Time

Following the decision to grant time to two homeowners in Phase 3B2, resentment was observed among other residents, who questioned why some were given relief while others faced immediate action. Alleging discrimination, they demanded equal treatment. MC officials, however, clarified that the drive was being conducted strictly in accordance with rules and assured that “everyone will be treated equally.”

Commissioner’s Warning

Mohali Municipal Corporation Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh said that during the operation, certain individuals attempted to obstruct official work and even issued threats to MC employees and officers.“Such elements are being identified, and police cases will be registered against them,”the Commissioner said.