Ludhiana MP Condemns Authorities for Buddha Dariya Pollution Despite Ongoing Cleanup Efforts
Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal has issued a strong condemnation against local authorities in Ludhiana for their failure to halt the continuous flow of waste into the Buddha Dariya, even as cleaning initiatives persist. During a recent inspection of the polluted waterway, Seechewal uncovered critical operational failures that are exacerbating the environmental crisis.
Treatment Plant Shutdown and Financial Dues Exposed
The inspection revealed that the Haibowal dairy complex effluent treatment plant (ETP) has been completely shut down for five consecutive days. Plant operators attributed this shutdown to excessive accumulation of cow dung, which has clogged machinery designed exclusively for processing liquid waste. This mechanical failure has allowed untreated effluent to bypass the treatment system entirely.
Furthermore, the operating company disclosed a significant financial hurdle: it is owed approximately ₹19 crore in unpaid dues spanning the past 30 months. This substantial backlog in payments has severely hampered maintenance and operational capabilities, contributing directly to the plant's current non-functional state.
Inter-Departmental Blame Game and Unchecked Discharge
Seechewal also identified a large sewer pipe near Balloke that is discharging untreated water directly into the Buddha Dariya. When questioned about this violation, officials from multiple agencies—including the Municipal Corporation, Sewerage Board, and Pollution Control Board—failed to provide clear accountability, instead engaging in what the MP described as "inter-departmental finger-pointing."
"Those polluting the Buddha Dariya will not be spared," Seechewal warned, expressing frustration at the bureaucratic paralysis that allows pollution to continue unchecked. He emphasized that this lack of coordinated action undermines all cleanup efforts and perpetuates environmental degradation.
Parallel Greening Initiative Launched to Combat Pollution
In a simultaneous environmental push, Seechewal has launched a large-scale greening drive along Tajpur Road near the Central Jail. Utilizing saplings sourced from his own nurseries, this campaign aims to transform former dumpsites located along the banks of the Buddha Dariya into thriving green belts.
This initiative represents a proactive measure to combat Ludhiana's severe pollution levels, addressing both immediate waste management failures and long-term ecological restoration. The greening project seeks to create natural buffers that can help mitigate pollution impacts while improving the overall environmental health of the area.
The situation highlights a critical gap between cleanup rhetoric and actionable implementation, with Seechewal's findings exposing systemic failures in waste management infrastructure, financial sustainability, and inter-agency coordination. As pollution continues to flow into the Buddha Dariya, the MP's dual approach of condemnation and constructive action underscores the urgent need for comprehensive environmental governance in Ludhiana.
