A significant press conference was held today at the Aam Aadmi Party office in Sector-39. On this occasion, Councillor Hardeep Singh Buterla, former Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, party spokesperson Yogesh Dhingra, and State Media In-Charge Vikrant A Tanwar were present.
Addressing the press, Councillor Hardeep Singh Buterla raised serious concerns regarding the waste management system in Chandigarh. He welcomed members of the media and stated that the issue of garbage disposal in the city has reached an alarming stage, raising serious questions on the functioning of the Chandigarh administration and the BJP-led Municipal Corporation.
Referring to a recent report submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), he stated that while the administration claims to process 286 metric tonnes of waste daily, there is no clear account of nearly 96 metric tonnes.
He raised his first direct question: “Where is this 96 metric tonnes of waste going?”
He further highlighted that a few days ago, trucks carrying waste towards Punjab were stopped by Dr. Sunny Ahluwalia, which the administration had initially denied. However, the report now clearly indicates that waste is not being properly processed but is instead being dumped at various locations.
He raised his second question: “Is the BJP-led corporation dumping Chandigarh’s waste in other states to evade responsibility?”
Buterla also questioned the expenditure of crores of rupees on this project. He pointed out that the compost being produced contains heavy metals, making it toxic. This compost is being used in parks and on fruits and vegetables, posing serious health risks such as cancer and skin diseases.
He raised his third major question: “If the compost is toxic, who allowed its use among the public, and who will take responsibility?”
He further stated that around 121 metric tonnes of unprocessed waste is being dumped daily at the dumping ground, worsening the environmental crisis. He demanded accountability from the administration, stating that their claims are far from ground reality.
On this occasion, Yogesh Dhingra said that the people of Chandigarh have been promised for years that the garbage mountain would be eliminated. However, despite BJP mayors ruling for the past 12 years, there has been no substantial improvement. He added that anyone visiting the dumping ground can see the real situation, and the public is being continuously misled.
He further questioned that when the report states only 190 tonnes of waste is reaching the site, where is the remaining waste going? He alleged that waste is being dumped in low-lying areas across Punjab, Haryana, and nearby regions of Chandigarh. He termed this as a blatant misuse of public funds and questioned the justification of spending crores if waste is simply being dumped elsewhere.
Citing the example of Indore, he said that the city eliminated its garbage mountain within a year at a cost of just ₹16 crore and developed a park in its place. In contrast, Chandigarh has spent approximately ₹202 crore between 2024 and 2026, yet the problem remains unresolved.
He further stated that since Aam Aadmi Party received a mandate of 14 councillors in 2021, the party has consistently raised this issue. He claimed that any reduction of 20–25% in the garbage mountain is solely due to AAP’s continuous efforts.
Former Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor also addressed the press and stated that his residence is near the dumping ground, giving him firsthand experience of the issue. He alleged that instead of eliminating the garbage mountain, a 20-foot-high wall has been constructed to hide it. He further said that waste is not being processed but is being spread to other areas, leading to water and environmental pollution.
He added that for the past 40 years, residents have been demanding the removal of the dumping ground, but the Municipal Corporation and administration have been misleading both the High Court and the public. He also mentioned that the court has directed that waste disposal must be completed by May 2026.
Key Demands:
A clear explanation of where the 96 metric tonnes of waste is going
Immediate ban on the use of toxic compost
Full disclosure of the ₹202 crore expenditure
A Vigilance or CBI inquiry into the entire matter
