Ludhiana's carcass plant faces uncertain future amid protests, legal hurdles
" Despite its objective of scientific disposal of dead animals, the plant, which was constructed under the Ludhiana Smart City Mission, met with strong resistance from local villagers from day one.
Authorities have considered relocating the plant, but chances of finding an alternative site are slim. Officials approached panchayats in 27 villages around Ludhiana—including Bullepur, Rattanheri, Rajewal, Dahru, Khatlia, Laddowal, Allowal, Gill Phallewal, Dhamot Kalan, Lasara Lakhowal, Rara Sahib, Garhi Fazal, Salempur, Garhi Sheru, Haider Nagar, and Pangalian.
Everywhere, they encountered strong opposition from locals.
Many villages even passed formal resolutions opposing the plant's relocation to their areas. Garhi Fazal and Garhi Sheru were considered promising options, but protests there also derailed the plans.
As pressure from the
National Green Tribunal
(NGT) mounted, the plant was operated briefly for one week last year during the MP elections. Soon after though, villagers resumed their protests, forcing its closure.
Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the agitation and locked the gate of the plant, prompting the MC to file an FIR against him.
In a petition, which is pending before the NGT, environmental activist Col J S Gill has challenged the non-functional status of the carcass plant and flagged illegal hada rodi (animal carcass dumping) along the banks of the Satluj River. Gill said that the NGT summoned representatives from the ministry of environment and forests for the past two hearings, but no one had appeared so far.
The tribunal has now reiterated its directive for ministry officials to attend the next hearing.
Gill believes that only strong political will from the state government can resolve the impasse. "Force may be the only way to make the plant functional now," he said, suggesting that administrative persuasion has failed and legal pressure alone may not suffice.
MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal confirmed that no final decision had been made about relocation or reactivation of the plant.
"The matter is pending at the state government level," he said, indicating that the MC has limited authority to act independently.
During the tenure of the Congress government, the plant was built with the intention of enhancing Ludhiana's waste management capabilities. However, the lack of community engagement and failure to address local concerns have turned the project into a symbol of administrative disconnect.
As the legal battle continues and villagers remain firm in their opposition, the future of the Noorpur Bet carcass plant hangs in the balance. Without a breakthrough in negotiations or a decisive intervention from the state government, the plant risks becoming a permanent non-starter.
Stalled By Protests
Carcass plant at Noorpur Bet, built under the Smart City Mission in July 2021, remains non-functional due to persistent villager protests
Attempts to relocate the plant failed as 27 villages opposed the move, passing formal resolutions against it
The plant was briefly operational for one week during MP elections, but protests resumed, leading to its closure
Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the protest; an FIR was filed against him by the MC
NGT petition filed by Col J S Gill highlights illegal carcass dumping and seeks ministry intervention
NGT summoned ministry of environment officials twice; they failed to appear
MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal stated the matter is pending at the state government level
The project risks becoming a "white elephant" due to lack of community engagement and administrative resolution
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Ludhiana's carcass plant faces uncertain future amid protests, legal hurdles
Ludhiana: Ever since its inception in July 2021, authorities have been making vain attempts to get the carcass disposal plant at Noorpur Bet functional again. However, the plant may soon be one of the futile projects which have earned the dubious title of "white elephants. " Despite its objective of scientific disposal of dead animals, the plant, which was constructed under the Ludhiana Smart City Mission, met with strong resistance from local villagers from day one. Authorities have considered relocating the plant, but chances of finding an alternative site are slim. Officials approached panchayats in 27 villages around Ludhiana—including Bullepur, Rattanheri, Rajewal, Dahru, Khatlia, Laddowal, Allowal, Gill Phallewal, Dhamot Kalan, Lasara Lakhowal, Rara Sahib, Garhi Fazal, Salempur, Garhi Sheru, Haider Nagar, and Pangalian. Everywhere, they encountered strong opposition from locals. Many villages even passed formal resolutions opposing the plant's relocation to their areas. Garhi Fazal and Garhi Sheru were considered promising options, but protests there also derailed the plans. As pressure from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mounted, the plant was operated briefly for one week last year during the MP elections. Soon after though, villagers resumed their protests, forcing its closure. Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the agitation and locked the gate of the plant, prompting the MC to file an FIR against him. In a petition, which is pending before the NGT, environmental activist Col J S Gill has challenged the non-functional status of the carcass plant and flagged illegal hada rodi (animal carcass dumping) along the banks of the Satluj River. Gill said that the NGT summoned representatives from the ministry of environment and forests for the past two hearings, but no one had appeared so far. The tribunal has now reiterated its directive for ministry officials to attend the next hearing. Gill believes that only strong political will from the state government can resolve the impasse. "Force may be the only way to make the plant functional now," he said, suggesting that administrative persuasion has failed and legal pressure alone may not suffice. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal confirmed that no final decision had been made about relocation or reactivation of the plant. "The matter is pending at the state government level," he said, indicating that the MC has limited authority to act independently. During the tenure of the Congress government, the plant was built with the intention of enhancing Ludhiana's waste management capabilities. However, the lack of community engagement and failure to address local concerns have turned the project into a symbol of administrative disconnect. As the legal battle continues and villagers remain firm in their opposition, the future of the Noorpur Bet carcass plant hangs in the balance. Without a breakthrough in negotiations or a decisive intervention from the state government, the plant risks becoming a permanent non-starter. Stalled By Protests Carcass plant at Noorpur Bet, built under the Smart City Mission in July 2021, remains non-functional due to persistent villager protests Attempts to relocate the plant failed as 27 villages opposed the move, passing formal resolutions against it The plant was briefly operational for one week during MP elections, but protests resumed, leading to its closure Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the protest; an FIR was filed against him by the MC NGT petition filed by Col J S Gill highlights illegal carcass dumping and seeks ministry intervention NGT summoned ministry of environment officials twice; they failed to appear MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal stated the matter is pending at the state government level The project risks becoming a "white elephant" due to lack of community engagement and administrative resolution Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
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