PGI experts to assess impact of industrial waste in Buddha Nullah

Ludhiana: A team of experts from PGI would assess the impact of pollution from Buddha Nullah among villagers in Gaunspur and nearby areas and make recommendations for improving the conditions, Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Sandhwan announced during his visit to the area on Wednesday.
Earlier, the villagers of Gaunspur raised the issue of alarming pollution in the village, which they rued had started taking a toll on the health of inhabitants. When Sandhwan visited Walipur and Gaunspur, residents demanded a check on the industries discharging wastewater in Buddha Nullah, and fly ash coming to their houses.
After meeting the residents, Sandhwan asked Ludhiana deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik to get an environment study done for Gaunspur village to estimate the loss to environment and its remedy. The study will be conducted through PGI and impact of pollution on humans and animals will be checked.
The seven-member legislative committee, headed by Ludhiana East MLA Daljeet Singh Grewal, would also have a mandate to ensure cleaning of Ghaggar river. MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Gurpreet Singh Banawali, Birinder Goyal, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Manpreet Singh Ayali and Sandeep Jakhar will be members of the committee.
A resident of Gaunspur village, Gurmeet Singh said, “We have been complaining about the situation for long. We have been demanding that the industry should not be allowed in the village, but still units are located and there is foul smell all around. There is fly ash which comes to our houses. We have raised this matter several times with PPCB, but no solution has been found.” He said they gave a representation to the assembly speaker with a hope that the issue would be resolved this time.
Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, chairman, Punjab Naroa Manch, said, “We have been raising the issue of villagers time and again as several deformities like tooth decay have been reported among children. Women have had difficulties in giving birth and even domestic animals too have faced the consequences of high pollution.” He said the pollution in Buddha Nullah and Satluj at Walipur should be checked as even groundwater has been contaminated.
Sandhwan said, “One study will take place in the coming days in Gaunspur village and DC has been directed to ensure the same. The PGI teams will inspect the quality of air, water and soil and then give suggestions for improving the conditions.” He said a committee has also been formed to keep a regular check on the works being done to improve the condition of water in Satluj and Ghaggar.