Punjab govt sets up task force to clean Buddha Nallah

LUDHIANA: In an initiative to clean up Ludhiana’s Buddah Nallah which has become the eyesore for the government and state, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh constituted a task force to free the Nallah of polluting effluents.

Baba Udai Singh of Naamdhari Sect has been appointed the patron of this task force which will submit its report to the CM within two months. Udai Singh, who met CM on Monday evening has accepted the request to act as the patron. He pledged his full support and cooperation in the government's efforts for cleaning Buddah Nallah.

Captain also directed both the local Bodies and Industries departments to complete all the ongoing works being carried out to flush out toxic substances from the Buddha Nallah. Speaking on the issue, the CM said, "It is time to proactively engage industry representatives and public to complement the government's efforts in providing safe and healthier drinking water to all. The health of the city residents is of paramount concern for the government. As the effluents being thrown into the nallah are adversely impacting the quality of sub-soil water in the region we need to find a lasting solution to this long-standing problem."

At present close to 700 MLDs water was flowing in the Buddah Nallah, of which 80 per cent was coming from municipal sewerage with industries contributing around 15 per cent. State’s chief secretary meanwhile, has been directed to constitute the task force, consisting of elected representatives, technocrats and public figures. According to a spokesperson in Punjab government, the task force has been mandated to study and suggest measures to address issues of treating industrial effluents, solid waste management, besides ways to proactively engage with the public at large in this cause.

The spokesperson also disclosed that the CM has also asked the local government department to submit a proposal to enhance the existing capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) from the current 516 million litres per day (MLD) to 675 MLD, besides augmenting the treatment facilities for industrial effluents. He has also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources to draw up a detailed plan for a lasting remedy for channelling and beautification of the 14km of the length of the Nallah, which flows through Ludhiana city. The chief minister meanwhile, has assured Baba Udai Singh of all assistance in accomplishing this gigantic task in a time-bound manner.

Prominent among others who attended the meeting was environment minister O P Soni, revenue minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, media advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, chief principal secretary to CM, Suresh Kumar, principal secretary to CM Tejveer Singh and Ludhiana deputy commissioner Pradeep Aggarwal.