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Time of India

NGT calls for regular cleaning, monitoring of Sidhwan Canal banks

Ludhiana: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has firmly directed authorities concerned to ensure regular cleaning and monitoring of Sidhwan Canal banks. Disposing of a petition filed against solid waste dumping and pollution in the canal, the Tribunal emphasised that no garbage should be allowed to accumulate along the banks or be thrown into the water body. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Authorities have been instructed to carry out cleaning operations at regular intervals and to frame a standard operating procedure (SOP) within three months to ensure compliance. In its order, the NGT noted that although cleaning efforts were undertaken during pendency of the case—prompted by previous Tribunal directives—these actions were not sufficient. The material submitted by petitioners stressed the need for continuous monitoring and sustained action to prevent recurring pollution and encroachments. In its previous submissions, the MC claimed to have removed solid waste from the canal banks and taken steps to prevent future dumping. These included the installation of chain fencing along canal banks, awareness campaigns discouraging people from dumping puja offerings, and issuing challans to repeat offenders. The MC also stated that it had removed all secondary dumpsites and replaced them with compactors at transfer stations. A compactor site is currently under construction at the canal location, following approvals from the Punjab State Mandi Board. Additionally, the MC claimed to have developed a green belt along the canal after clearing encroachments, aiming to improve the ecological health and aesthetics of the area. The Tribunal has now mandated regular inspections to ensure that these measures do not just remain one-time efforts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The petition was jointly filed by Kuldeep Khaira, Dr Amandeep Bains, Kapil Arora, and Vikas Arora. Respondents in the case include the state government, deputy commissioner, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), irrigation department, Municipal Corporation, and PUDA. The NGT directives NGT disposes of pollution petition but issues fresh directions for regular cleaning and monitoring of Sidhwan Canal banks Authorities must ensure no garbage is dumped into the canal or along its banks A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be framed within three months to ensure compliance Tribunal noted that past clean-up efforts were insufficient and emphasised the need for continuous action Municipal Corporation claimed steps like fencing, awareness drives, removal of dump sites, and construction of a compactor site had beeb taken MSID:: 123302140 413 |