Mohali's Streets Reclaimed: The Sweeping Hand of the MC Finally Moves Against Encroachment

It seems, doesn't it, that sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy grind slowly, but when they do, they can truly stir things up? Well, Mohali, for once, witnessed just such a stirring this past weekend. The city’s Municipal Corporation, in a move that frankly felt both overdue and decisive, launched a rather significant anti-encroachment drive — a real, tangible effort to reclaim its public spaces from a proliferation of illegal vendors and dhabas.

Imagine, if you will, the scene: teams fanning out across key areas, not just in one isolated spot, but comprehensively. From the bustling lanes of Phase VII and XI to the quieter stretches of Sector 69, 70, and 79, extending all the way to Mataur, Kumbra, Balongi, and even along Airport Road. It was, you could say, a concerted effort, leaving very little to chance or, for that matter, to the persistent informal economy that had taken root.

Under the vigilant eye of Chief Sanitary Inspector Manpreet Singh, multiple teams, equipped with more than just good intentions — yes, we’re talking earthmovers and tractors here — went to work. Their mission? To dismantle and confiscate. And honestly, they did just that. Over two dozen illegal establishments, give or take a few, found themselves in the crosshairs. Picture the scene: carts, makeshift stalls, even cooking apparatus — gas cylinders, stoves, raw materials — all swept up in the drive.

But why now, one might ask? In truth, the catalyst isn’t a mystery. For months, perhaps even longer, residents had been voicing their frustrations. Complaints about blocked pathways, about the sheer lack of hygiene, and indeed, about genuine public safety concerns had been piling up. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about functional living, about the right to navigate one’s city without constant impediment. And the MC, to its credit, listened. Or, rather, acted upon what it heard.

Navjot Kaur, the MC Commissioner, hasn’t minced words either, making it abundantly clear that this isn't a one-off spectacle. Oh no, this drive is very much an ongoing affair. Strict action, it’s promised, will continue against any and all who dare to flout the rules. Warnings have been issued, and penalties, we understand, have been levied. It’s a clear message, really: Mohali is cleaning up its act, and everyone, it seems, will need to play by the book.