Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 6

Residents of Holy City, Swiss City, Guru Amar Dass Avenue and Gumtala village along with members of the Amritsar Vikas Manch gathered at the Tung Dhab drain to highlight the ill-effects of air and water pollution caused due to rampant and blatant release of sewage as well as other pollutants into the drain.

Over the years, this storm-water drain passing through the outskirts of the city has become just a sewage discharge nullah carrying million liters of waste and unchecked effluents.

To add to the woes of residents, apart from increasing pollution, it is causing multiple health hazards. Despite the National Green Tribunal orders, the Municipal Corporation Amritsar (MCA) continues to flout the Water Act as well as Central Pollution Control Board norms by releasing sewage directly into the drain.

The MC in its recent reply to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had listed the case for addressing pollution issue, had stated in writing that they will plug all municipal sewage release points and not release any sewage into the Tung Dhab by March 31, 2021, but nothing has materialised so far.

Kailash Bansal, a Holy City resident, said the drain which passes through the outer area of the Holy City, Guru Amar Dass Avenue and Swiss City was a seasonal rainwater drain earlier, but the mixing of industrial effluents and sewage has now turned it into a toxic drain.

He said the toxic gases being produced from the drain is causing acute and chronic diseases among the area residents. He said the toxic wastes, which are getting dissolved in the ground, is causing groundwater pollution. Despite regular complaints to the MC, no action has been taken. Sulphur dioxide which is released due to sewage turns into sulphuric acid that erodes the copper surfaces of air conditioners, refrigerators and circuits of electronic devices leading to quick malfunction within a few months. The children and elderly are suffering with various breathing, skin, eye and allergic problems due to the polluted air and dangerous fumes.