Dairy units polluting Buddha Dariya to face blackout

Ludhiana: Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, alongside mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta, conducted a project review meeting at the MC Zone D office on Tuesday. During the session, primary emphasis was placed on halting the flow of cow dung into the Buddha Dariya. Consequently, directions were issued to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to penalize violators and disconnect the power supply of dairy units found dumping waste into the stream.The meeting was attended by MC joint commissioners Vineet Kumar and Amanpreet Singh, Councillor Indu Munish Shah, SE Ekjot Singh, and officials from PPCB, PSPCL, and PEDA. The contractor responsible for door-to-door cow dung collection was also present. Concerned PEDA officials were directed to accelerate the installation of bio-gas plants at the Haibowal and Tajpur Road dairy complexes. MP Seechewal noted that a 'Seechewal Model' pond has already been established in the Haibowal complex to prevent dung from reaching effluent treatment plants (ETP), ensuring their efficient operation.Furthermore, the collection contractor has deployed carts within the complexes to streamline the lifting process. Meanwhile, PPCB and MC officials were instructed to maintain strict vigil over dyeing units to ensure untreated industrial waste is not dumped into the Dariya or civic sewer lines. PPCB must also ensure continuous compliance with National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives regarding the dyeing industry. This meeting follows recent inspections conducted by MP Seechewal at both the Haibowal and Tajpur Road dairy complexes, where he issued several necessary instructions.MP urges public to keep historic water body cleanBeyond administrative directives, MP Seechewal and Mayor Inderjit Kaur appealed to residents to support the authorities by ceasing the dumping of waste into the Buddha Dariya, citing its religious and historic significance. They emphasised that the goal of rejuvenating the water body cannot be achieved without the active participation of the public. By combining strict enforcement against industrial violators with community involvement, the administration aims to restore the Dariya to its former state while modernising waste management through bio-gas technology and specialised pond models.