Ar. Sanjay Goel writes to Ludhiana Mayor; Suggests proposed solution for Buddha Nullah (water pollution and roads)

Ludhiana, August 9, 2018: In a communication to Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) Mayor today Ar.Sanjay Goel, Director-Ludhiana Smart City Limited and Chairman-IIA Punjab Chapter has proposed solution for Buddha Nullah (water pollution and roads)

The communication reads as under: “This is to share with yourself (mayor) not only problems but solution too for Buddha Nullah especially about roads as water issue already being undertaken by Punjab Government.

Buddha Nullah is one of the major examples of live water pollution not only in Punjab but in India. Buddha Nullah is mainly a rain water channel running 34 kms approximately from Machiwada to river Sutlej and half of it passing through Ludhiana City.

With the passage of time during the past few decades due to mix land use many industrial units including dyeing units and dairy units has come up along the Buddha Dariya. A large number of residences have also come up along Dariya. In majority of areas along the stretch of Nullah on both sides there is no sewage system provided by Government.

Majority industrial units are discharging their polluted liquid waste illegally into the Dariya. In spite of the best efforts of all the Government departments including experts from Central Government, State Government, District Administration, Pollution Control Board, neither people could stop discharging their liquid waste into the Nullah nor could the Government provide sewage disposal system and garbage disposal system in the localities along Buddha Dariya. Population of Ludhiana city has also increased 4 to 5 times during the past few decades. Due to mix land use and haphazard development, Ludhiana city is messed up and pollution of all types has reached the alarming point. With increase in population, number of vehicles has also increased at an alarming rate whereas road infrastructure in Ludhiana city is very poor and traffic congestions are a routine everywhere.

The maximum load of vehicles is on few major roads unlike Chandigarh and Delhi having multiple choices to go from one point to another. Buddha Dariya which has now become Buddha Nullah, although needs solution to water problem and garbage but Government must simultaneously find a solution to traffic related issues by constructing roads along Buddha Nullah as well as an elevated road can be provided above Nullah so as to solve the traffic problem of upcoming Smart City. With this the land prices will also increase along Buddha Nullah and people will be more cautious to use their land and buildings.

It is good that Punjab government has yesterday approved another 111 crores for Buddha Nullah including one STP having capacity of 50MLD, 2 ETPs and upgradation of existing treatment plants.”

Concluding, Ar.Sanjay Goel, said aim of architects from Ludhiana under the banner of Indian Institute of Architects is that apart from solving the issue of water pollution Government must construct excellent roads including elevated roads as per rough sketch attached, along Buddha Nullah passing through the city limits. “Government must start laying sewerage system in the localities along Buddha Nullah”, he said, adding that industrial units including dyeing units and diary units must be fined heavily, if found polluting Buddha Nullah in future.