Waste-to-Energy Plant, Sewerage Projects and ₹55,040 Crore Investments Highlighted by Minister Arora in Assembly
Arora Details Development Initiatives and Investment Outreach During Budget Session Discussion
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Replying on the question regarding current status of Solid Waste Processing Plant at Samgauli near Derabassi, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said that
50 acres of land was acquired at village Samgauli (Dera Bassi) in year 2017 for setting up of Solid Waste Management Plant for processing of solid waste generated in the area of Municipal Corporation Mohali and nearby other 17 Urban Local Bodies. Out of 50 acre land, possession of 39 acres has already been handed over to the Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) for this purpose in year 2020.
In this regard he further informed the House that MC S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) has prepared a project proposal for setting up a Waste-to-Energy plant at this site to cater the approximately 500 metric ton of solid waste daily generated in 9 ULBs namely MC Mohali, MC Zirakpur, Kharar, Naya Gaon, Dera Bassi, Kurali, Banur, Lalru and NP Gharuan. The proposal is under consideration and finalization at the level of State Government.
Similarily, responding to another question pertaining to arrangement of main sewerage at Nagar Panchayat Arniwala Sheikh Subhan, Local Government Minister Sanjeev Arora informed that tender has been floated for Main Sewer, Pumping Station, 2 Million Litre per Day Sewage Treatment Plant for Nagar Panchayat Arniwala Sheikh Subhan under Sawachh Bharat Mission 2.0 Scheme against estimated amount of Rs. 21.42 cr. After the completion of the tender process, the work will be allotted and will start functioning at site. This work shall be completed within 21 months.
Speaking on regularization of Water Supply and Sewerage Board/Fire Brigade personnel question, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said the government has not made recently any proposal/policy to regularize the casual employees in the Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Fire Brigade Department who have been working for the last 12-13 years.
Responding to another question raised in the House, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora informed that presently there is no sewerage facility in the village of Balad Kothi, Bhawanigarh. Due to the absence of sewer lines, water gets accumulated in the streets/ road. To provide sewerage facility in this area and connecting this sewer with the existing sewer on the service road of national highway Rs. 4.90 Cr. are required for which funds are being arranged. After the receipt of these funds work will be completed within 06 months. The restoration work of service road will be done by national highway at their own level.
Likewise, replied in details regarding foreign investments made in the State so far, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora informed the house that during the official visits undertaken to promote investment, the Hon'ble Chief Minister held structured interactions with industry leaders, business associations and prospective investors to present Punjab's industrial strengths and policy framework. Such engagements typically involve detailed interactions on prospective investment proposals and long-term expansion strategies of the companies, and have a relatively long gestation period before reaching implementation stage. The conversion of these discussions into grounded investments is therefore a phased process requiring due diligence and regulatory assessments. The Government, through Invest Punjab, undertakes regular follow-up and facilitation to ensure that these investment leads are systematically progressed towards fruition in the State.
Moreover he added that as a result of such initiatives and engagements, the State has received record investment proposals of more than INR 55040 cr (From April 2025 to Feb 2026).