Vidhan Sabha committee finds discrepancies in working of CETPs established for treating dyeing industry waste, collect samples 

Ludhiana, June 8, 2023: With an aim to review the progress under Rs 650 crore project being taken up for rejuvenation of 'Buddha Dariya', Vidhan Sabha committee for Buddha nullah and Ghaggar river conducted a meeting under the Chairmanship of Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal at Circuit house on Thursday. 

Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal along with members of the committee including MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Prashar Pappi, Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Hardeep Singh Mundian also participated in the meeting. Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Dr Shena Aggarwal, officials of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB), Revenue department among others were present in the meeting.

After conducting meeting with the officials, the committee members led by Chairman MLA Grewal and MP Seechewal inspected the working of Jamalpur sewer treatment Plant (STP) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) established for treating the waste of dyeing industry in Focal Point, Tajpur road and Bahadurke road. 

The committee members found major discrepancies in the working of CETPs especially 40 mld CETP established for treating the dyeing industry waste of Focal Point area. Following this, samples were collected from the outlet points of all the three CETPs in presence of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Municipal Corporation (MC) officials. 

Earlier during the meeting, the committee members reiterating that no stone should be left unturned to rejuvenate 'Buddha Dariya'. The committee members directed the officials to conduct regular inspections and take strict action against the industrial units dumping untreated waste in the sewer lines. Directions were also issued to expedite the project to rejuvenate 'Buddha Dariya'. 

While directing the authorities to tighten noose around the violators, members of the committee stated that from now on, the concerned officials would also be held responsible, if any violation is caught in their respective areas during inspections.

During the meeting, discussions were also held about the steps being taken to stop cow dung from getting into the nullah, working of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) established for treating waste of dyeing industry etc.

Chairman of the committee, MLA Grewal stated that regular meetings are being held at state and local level to expedite the works under the project.

MLA Grewal and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal stated that major discrepancies were found during the inspection of 40mld CETP established for treating the waste of Focal Point dyeing industry, following which samples have been collected from all the three CETPs for testing.

They further stated that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led state government is working to make the water bodies pollution free. 

Further they appealed to the public to join hands with the authorities in this campaign for the betterment of future generations. 

They appealed to the public to stop the use of banned plastic items and stop dumping solid waste in the nullah. They also appealed to the dyeing industry representatives to ensure that untreated waste is not dumped in the MC sewer lines.