MOHALI, FEBRUARY 24 – Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kulwant Singh raised the long-pending issue of Khokha market owners in Phase 1 and Phase 7 of Mohali during the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session on Saturday and questioned why GMADA had failed to allot permanent booths to 350 squatters even after 19 years of its existence.
“Permanent booths can be allotted to these market owners in spaces of 5 to 8 feet, yet GMADA has not acted. How much longer will they have to wait?” he asked.
Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian responded that a committee had been formed to address the matter. However, Singh pressed further, demanding a clear timeline for when the committee’s work would begin and when it would submit its report.
Singh revealed that since the AAP government took office, he had sent seven letters—starting from May 15, 2022—regarding the issue but received no response.
“It seems the department has never had a tradition of responding,” he remarked. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan assured that an answer would be provided.
The MLA further stated that Mohali’s Khokha market needs 700 permanent booths, rather than just 350.
“GMADA can generate revenue by constructing additional permanent booths for those who have been part of Mohali for 40 to 50 years. The market owners are even willing to pay,” he added.
Responding to Singh’s concerns, Minister Mundian assured that the committee’s findings would be shared within five to seven months and that the government is committed to resolving the issue.
