Take strict action against industrial units dumping untreated waste in 'Buddha Dariya' or vacant plots - Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal 

Ludhiana, March 6, 2024: Reiterating the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to clean the water bodies across the state, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal conducted a meeting with senior officials from district administration, Municipal Corporation (MC) and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) regarding 'Buddha Dariya' at Circuit House on Wednesday. 

During the meeting, MP Seechewal issued strict directions to the PPCB officials to take strict action against dyeing industry dumping untreated waste in MC sewer lines. Directions were issued to snap sewer/power connections of the units or impose Environment Compensation (EC) on the industrial units which are still polluting the 'Buddha Dariya'.
 
MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh, ADC (Rural Development) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, PPCB Chief Engineer Pardeep Gupta, social activist Hardev Singh Daudar among other officials of MC, PPCB and drainage department were also present during the meeting. 

During the meeting, discussions were held on different issues concerning 'Buddha Dariya' including dumping of untreated waste, solid waste management, functioning of STPs and CETPs etc.  The civic body officials informed MP Seechewal that two effluent treatment plants (ETP) being established to treat dairy waste in Haibowal and Tajpur road dairy complexes, will also be made operational by March 31.
 
After the meeting, MP Seechewal along with other officials also took up plantation drive alongside 'Buddha Dariya' on Tajpur road. MP Seechewal had started the plantation drive alongside 'Buddha Dariya' from Gurdwara Gau Ghat on February 2. Plantation is now being done in phases to spread greenery around the Dariya. MP Seechewal appealed to the NGOs/residents to step forward and join the drive. 

On receiving a complaint from a few industrial representatives regarding the 'industrial waste' being dumped in open plots, MP Seechewal among other officials also visited Jaiswal complex and adjoining areas on Tajpur road for inspection. 

Finding polluted water dumped in open plots, MP Seechewal directed the PPCB officials to conduct sampling and take strict action against those industrial units, from where the waste is being dumped in vacant plots. 

MP Seechewal said CM S Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is working to turn the state back into 'Rangla Punjab' and it is among the dream projects of CM S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to clean 'Buddha Dariya'.

MP Seechewal said that complaints are still being received against dumping of untreated waste by industry and PPCB officials have been directed to take strict action against the same. 

The industry should also understand their responsibility and stop dumping untreated waste as pollution in Buddha Dariya is adding to pollution levels in river Sutlej, which is source of drinking water for a large number of residents in Rajasthan and Punjab too. We should all make combined efforts to clean the water bodies across the state, said MP Seechewal.