Jhuriwala keeps Panchkula down in the dumps
The district witnessed an eventful year, anchored by dramatic political stories unfolding and the local population reeling under persisting local challenges and a series of unsettling crimes.
The unexpected defeat of long-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Gian Chand Gupta in the Haryana assembly poll was one of the big upset stories of the election season.
Chander Mohan Bishnoi of the Congress, who had held the seat for multiple terms in the past, made a surprise comeback into the winners’ circle. His victory signalled at an end to BJP’s dominance in Panchkula and the public’s growing dissatisfaction with local governance, particularly issues such as infrastructure, unemployment and stagnation in development. The Congress leader’s campaign, centre around “change”, meanwhile, resonated with the fatigued voters.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Kalka constituency, the BJP captured a win, with Shakti Rani Sharma securing a decisive win over the incumbent Congress MLA. The split in outcomes underscores the complexity of Haryana’s electoral politics, where local issues, candidate appeal and party strategies often determine the outcome.
Dump a burning issue
Despite numerous promises from local authorities and heightened media attention, the Jhuriwala Dumping Ground continues to be a point of major contention. Residents from Sectors 23-28, 31, and the Sangram Jhuriwala Dumping Ground Committee have led multiple protests throughout the year, demanding action to address severe environmental concerns. Local candidates had in the lead-up to the assembly polls been invited to discuss the issue, but Gian Chand Gupta and INLD’s Kshitij Chaudhary failed to attend, leading to protests from residents who vowed not to vote for them in retaliation.
The Municipal Corporation (MC) had announced plans to build a material recovery facility (MRF) on a 3.5-acre plot in Alipur village, situated 18 km from the city. The move was met with resistance from Congress councillors, who argued that the new facility should be located farther away from residential areas. Locals, already plagued by issues related to nearby poultry farms, also voiced concerns that the new dumping ground would exacerbate their problems.
A tale of delays
Significant delays were also witnessed in the construction of the MC building. Originally scheduled to be completed by April 2021, the Rs 29.49 crore project faced delays after a dispute between the corporation and the contractor, which led to a subletting issue. By December, the local government department had sanctioned permission to issue new tenders to complete the project.
Meanwhile, the MC continues to operate from three separate locations — Sectors 4, 12A, and 14 — at the cost of administrative efficiency.
Adding to the political drama, elections to the posts of Deputy Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor were unexpectedly deferred in November after the Returning Officer took ill, triggering allegations of foul play from the Congress.
A year of violent incidents
The triple murder on December 23, that saw Vinit Gahlot, a man facing five cases of murder, dacoity and Arms Act in Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Panchkula, being shot dead with two others outside a resort on Morni Road was one of many shocking crimes that rocked Panchkula this year. Days have gone by but the police are yet to arrest the perpetrators.
On a more positive note, justice was served in the 2017 murder of Varinder from Saketri village. After a lengthy trial, the Sessions Court of Ved Parkash Sirohi convicted seven individuals for their involvement in the brutal kidnapping, torture, and murder of Varinder.
The court also found four of the accused guilty of destroying evidence by tampering with mobile SIM cards, ensuring that those responsible for the crime were held accountable after a long wait for justice.
The district has seen a shift in political power but both the Congress and the BJP continue to hold sway over pockets. Moving ahead, most eyes will be on the administration’s efforts to tackle the rise in crime and resolving the Jhuriwala issue.
