Ludhiana: Success of Buddha Nullah project on shaky ground, warn officials

LUDHIANA: Continuous dumping of cow dung and domestic waste into Buddha Nullah from within and outside MC limits could prove detrimental for the water body rejuvenation project and a hefty amount may go down the drain, officials revealed during a review meeting of Smart City projects at MC zone D office on Wednesday. Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu chaired the meeting.
In the meeting, Punjab water supply and sewerage board officials raised concern over discharge of waste coming from over 40 villages located outside MC limits and dairy units falling within MC jurisdiction, saying that all efforts could go in vain if nothing is done to check illegal flow of waste.
MC officials claimed they have already issued notices to dairy units and contacted the rural development department for action regarding discharge of waste coming from outside MC limits.
Representing dyeing units, Rahul Verma claimed that almost 80% of the industry sends waste water in common effluent treatment plants.
MP Bittu asked officials why they remained quiet over this issue in the beginning when they apprehended that entire efforts could go waste even if 225 MLD sewage treatment plant at Tajpur Road comes up by December end and other project works see completion. Directing officials to fix a meeting with the rural development and agriculture departments, Bittu said he would also take part in the meeting for redressal of the issue.
Notably, this issue had been raised by the activists right from the beginning of this project. Chairman of Buddha Dariya Task Force Thakur Uday Singh had also sought solution to cow dung issue. However, these suggestions had fallen on deaf ears.