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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Inspection reveals open sewage, garbage dump at Tajpur complex
Serious environmental violations and worsening pollution levels have been found along the Buddha Nullah near the Tajpur Dairy Complex. A team from the Public Action Committee (PAC), led by activist Anita Sharma, conducted an inspection near the 5 MLD effluent treatment plant (ETP) on Sunday. The visit revealed shocking scenes of open sewage, garbage dumps, illegal encroachments, and foul-smelling conditions across the area. Temporary huts have taken over nearly one kilometre of the bank. These shanties lack toilets and proper drainage, and waste is dumped directly into the nullah. The nearby government fish market is also discharging waste into the water body. Roads leading to the site are broken and filthy, making the area almost unlivable. Two outlets were found releasing untreated wastewater straight into the nullah — one from the dairy complex and the other from the ETP itself. Residents living near the Tajpur complex have long raised concerns. 'We have been breathing foul air for months. Cattle waste and garbage are left out in the open,' said Harjit Singh, a local resident. Another resident, Shalini Arora, added, 'There is no accountability. Political leaders promise action during elections but disappear later.' The PAC held a meeting with dairy owners and suggested key steps: setting up a dairy cooperative society, following zero liquid discharge (ZLD) norms, building cow dung disposal points, and ensuring proper waste transport. A proposal was made to channel all dairy waste into a central gobar gas plant for sustainable treatment. PAC also recommended installing bio-digesters at dairy units, GPS tracking of waste vehicles, and quarterly audits. A community helpline and monitoring committees were also suggested to ensure transparency. Anita Sharma condemned the inaction of local authorities. 'The Buddha Nullah is choking due to negligence. If no urgent steps are taken, this will become a health disaster,' she said. Despite repeated promises, political parties have failed to act. Even the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier proposed a parking and waste management system under the elevated road nearby, but it never materialised.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC seeks demarcation of green buffer zones and forest areas in Ludh
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee has submitted a formal request to various authorities, including the principal secretary of town and country planning, forest department, irrigation department, municipal corporation, and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada), calling for proper demarcation of green buffer zones and forest areas in Ludhiana. Activists Amandeep Singh Bains and Kapil Arora highlighted that a notification issued on October 18, 2018, by the department of town and country planning specified requirements for a 15-metre green belt around the populated part of villages and between red category industry and residential areas. Additionally, it required 30-metre green zones alongside major canals and 10-metre zones near minor canals in Punjab. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Un Français invente un robot de trading 100% Gratuit Actualité Finance Lire la suite Undo he forest department, MC, and Glada continue to authorise projects that disregard these requirements. These infractions persist because Ludhiana's master plan lacks clear provisions regarding green buffer zones and forest areas. Kuldeep Singh Khaira noted that while Ludhiana has various small forest areas, their precise location remains unclear due to the absence of publicly available forest cover maps. This prevents the identification of potential forest land encroachments. Despite six years passing, no green buffer zones have been established near water bodies or villages, even as unauthorised developments have mushroomed in these areas. Jaskirat Singh pointed out that the forest department is inappropriately permitting tree removal along the Sidhwan Canal's project frontages, contradicting forest policy. Additionally, several minor canals have been covered in concrete after tree removal, without reinstating the required green buffer zones. Adjacent colonies are now unlawfully occupying this land. All departments should verify projects against Ludhiana's Master Plan before approval. The activists stated that they would approach the National Green Tribunal for directives if the departments failed to respond within three weeks.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: 60 villages unite to oppose private mill project near Buddha Nullah
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has submitted a report to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, highlighting strong public opposition to the proposed Ruchira Paper Mill near the banks of Buddha Nullah in Chamkaur Sahib. The report comes after a public hearing held on April 30, 2025, under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms. Over 1,000 villagers from around 60 surrounding villages participated in the hearing, voicing unanimous rejection of the proposed red-category industry. Residents feared the private mill would devastate the ecologically rich area home to rivers, canals, wildlife, and dense forest cover. The locals united under the banners of the Sri Chamkaur Sahib Morcha and Public Action Committee (PAC) Mattewara to resist the project. They alleged that the project is backed by political leaders and corporate interests. Activists pointed out that the mill site lies just 10 metres from Buddha Nullah and 200 metres from the Neelon Canal violating an environmental law that prohibits red-category industries within 500 metres of a water source. The proposed plant would use and discharge crores of litres of water daily, posing a direct threat to Ludhiana's future drinking water supply and already polluted Buddha Nullah, which flows downstream into Rajasthan. PAC teams also visited Buddha Nullah near GT Road, collecting black water samples to counter government claims of improvement. 'It's like Coca-Cola running through our drains,' said PAC members Kapil Dev and Gurpreet Palaha, slamming state propaganda for misleading the public. Jaskirat Singh of the residents' body said the report reflects rare honesty despite political pressure but warned that the final decision lies with the Centre. 'We've averted a disaster for now, but the real battle is in Delhi. Every Punjabi must now raise their voice to ensure this project doesn't receive environmental clearance.' Activists sound alarm over pollution A united front of environmentalists, social activists, and citizens gathered near the 225 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on Jail Road as part of Phase-1 of the Buddha Nullah Padyatra on Sunday, issuing a collective call to restore the dying Buddha Nullah and protect Punjab's subsoil water and the Sutlej River system from severe contamination. The gathering, led by the Public Action Committee (PAC), highlighted continued violations at three key discharge points: the 40 MLD CETP at Focal Point, the 50 MLD CETP at Tajpur Road, and the 225 MLD STP at Jail Road. All three units are allegedly discharging untreated, chemically toxic effluents into Buddha Nullah, in violation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). PAC activists documented dark water discharges, suspicious underground diversions, and even temporary halts in red-coloured effluent flows during inspection—pointing to regulatory evasion. ₹1,154 crore project to rejuvenate Buddha Nullah In a step towards addressing Punjab's worsening groundwater crisis and rejuvenating the polluted Buddha Nullah, the soil conservation department has prepared a ₹1,050-crore proposal to reuse treated wastewater for agricultural and forestry purposes. The initiative, formulated following the recommendations of the Vidhan Sabha Committee on Buddha Nullah and Ghaggar River matters, aims to reduce pressure on depleting groundwater resources and tackle environmental pollution.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC issues legal notice to authorities over illegal constructions on green areas in Ludhiana
LUDHIANA : A group of environmental activists has issued a legal notice to senior city authorities, accusing them of violating court orders systematically by encroaching upon greenbelts and parks in one of the country's most polluted cities. The Public Action Committee (PAC) on Thursday served the notice to the principal secretary of the local bodies department, the municipal corporation of Ludhiana, and the Improvement Trust (LIT), warning of legal action in the National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) if construction on protected green spaces is not halted and reversed within three weeks. Activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Dr Amandeep Singh Bains said the city faced an "acute shortage" of green areas, in the densely populated old city particularly and unauthorised new colonies. "Instead of addressing the crisis, authorities are worsening it — building over parks and greenbelts in blatant violation of Supreme Court and NGT rulings," they alleged. They further claimed these encroachments are happening in "active connivance" with agencies such as MCL and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). Other PAC members, including Kapil Arora and Gurpreet Singh Plaha, said that despite previous demolition orders, including one for the MC's Zone-D extension building and another for a library built in a park on Old GT Road, similar projects continued unchecked. "The pattern is clear: habitual defiance of legal orders," said Arora. "It appears officials are more interested in appeasing politicians than upholding the law." Citing current violations, the activists named fresh constructions underway at Old GT Road, Barewal Awana, BRS Nagar's Dog Park, and Janta Nagar's library park — all allegedly funded with public money. Activist Jaskirat Singh said multiple complaints filed through the Punjab govt's m-Sewa platform have gone unanswered. "These departments are a threat to sustainable urban development. They're not managing a single environmental project properly and are wasting taxpayer funds," he said, demanding that the cost of illegal constructions be recovered from the officials who authorised them. The PAC has demanded restitution of greenbelts and parks, warning it will escalate the matter to the NGT if no corrective action is taken within 21 days. MSID:: 121362354 413 |
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC issues legal notice to authorities over illegal constructions on green areas in Ludhiana
Ludhiana: A group of environmental activists has issued a legal notice to senior city authorities, accusing them of violating court orders systematically by encroaching upon greenbelts and parks in one of the country's most polluted cities. The Public Action Committee (PAC) on Thursday served the notice to the principal secretary of the local bodies department, the municipal corporation of Ludhiana, and the Improvement Trust (LIT), warning of legal action in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if construction on protected green spaces is not halted and reversed within three weeks. Activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Dr Amandeep Singh Bains said the city faced an "acute shortage" of green areas, in the densely populated old city particularly and unauthorised new colonies. "Instead of addressing the crisis, authorities are worsening it — building over parks and greenbelts in blatant violation of Supreme Court and NGT rulings," they alleged. They further claimed these encroachments are happening in "active connivance" with agencies such as MCL and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). Other PAC members, including Kapil Arora and Gurpreet Singh Plaha, said that despite previous demolition orders, including one for the MC's Zone-D extension building and another for a library built in a park on Old GT Road, similar projects continued unchecked. "The pattern is clear: habitual defiance of legal orders," said Arora. "It appears officials are more interested in appeasing politicians than upholding the law." Citing current violations, the activists named fresh constructions underway at Old GT Road, Barewal Awana, BRS Nagar's Dog Park, and Janta Nagar's library park — all allegedly funded with public money. Activist Jaskirat Singh said multiple complaints filed through the Punjab govt's m-Sewa platform have gone unanswered. "These departments are a threat to sustainable urban development. They're not managing a single environmental project properly and are wasting taxpayer funds," he said, demanding that the cost of illegal constructions be recovered from the officials who authorised them. The PAC has demanded restitution of greenbelts and parks, warning it will escalate the matter to the NGT if no corrective action is taken within 21 days. MSID:: 121362354 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
