Historical facts about Bhogpur Sirwal, Punjab:

• Cooperative Sugar Mill: Bhogpur is home to The Bhogpur Co-operative Sugar Mills Ltd. The plant was installed in 1955-56 and began its first crushing season in the same year. Its name was changed from “The Janta Coop. Sugar Mills Ltd. Bhogpur” in 1988.

• Railway Station: The Bhogpur Sirwal railway station (BPRS) is well-connected to Pathankot and Jalandhar. The railway line from Jalandhar City to Mukerian was built in 1915, and it was extended to Pathankot in 1952.

• Historical Significance: A nearby village, Behram Sarishta, was a center for governmental and non-governmental activities before the construction of National Highway 1B through Bhogpur. The village is known for a “Haveli” built by Nawabs. Behram was the name of a Nawab who ruled the area, and “Sarishta” means “town,” giving the village its name

• The controversy surrounding the Bio-CNG plant at the Bhogpur Cooperative Sugar Mill (in Jalandhar district, Punjab) centers on intense opposition from local residents, farmer unions, market associations, and political leaders.

  Key Drivers of the Controversy

  • Fears of Municipal Waste Dumping: The primary catalyst was reports and statements from Municipal Corporation officials suggesting that solid urban waste from Jalandhar city would be transported to Bhogpur for processing at the Bio-CNG plant. Residents fear this will turn their area into a giant garbage dump.

  • Environmental & Health Concerns: Locals and activist groups argue that processing large quantities of waste near residential areas will cause severe air, soil, and groundwater pollution, creating persistent foul odor and health hazards.

  • Demand for Contract Cancellation: Protesters have repeatedly called for the complete cancellation of the agreement/MoU between the Bhogpur Cooperative Sugar Mill and the private company operating the plant.

  Protests and Escalation

  • Leadership: The movement has been prominently led by Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli (Congress), supported by local farmer unions, opposition parties, and shopkeepers.

  • Highway Blockades: Demonstrators have repeatedly staged major blockades on the busy Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway (NH-44), halting traffic and forcing local markets to close in protest.

  • Trial Runs Stopped: Villagers have physically intervened on multiple occasions to stop trial operations whenever the mill administration attempted to start the plant.

  Government & Administration Response

  • Official Denial of Garbage Processing: District authorities and the Bhogpur Sugar Mill management refuted claims of processing municipal waste, clarifying that the plant is meant to use pressmud (a byproduct of sugarcane crushing) rather than city garbage.

  • Work Stoppages: To appease protesters during major highway blockades, local administration officials (such as the Adampur SDM) issued assurances and written notices stating that work on the plant would remain suspended while dialogue continues.