1.2k caught while throwing waste during 2-month drive

LUDHIANA: During the ongoing drive against litterbugs, volunteers deputed near Sidhwan Canal have caught at least 1,222 people red-handed while dumping garbage and other items in the water body since January 1. The MC carried out cleaning of 10-km stretch and conducted a challan drive side by side. The MC has issued 329 challans so far and challans worth Rs 5,000 have already been recovered from 239 defaulters.
They have recorded videos of erring residents while throwing waste in the water body. The volunteers who remain on the banks of canal for catching hold of these people are seeking a solution from officials and even astrologers as people argue with them over throwing religious items.
According to officials, 40-50% material that was taken out from the canal was garbage from households, old mattress, toilet seats etc and 50% is religious material. They claimed that they even caught a person dumping medicines and X-ray reports of some unwell family member worth Rs 50,000 in the canal.
MC zonal commissioner Jasdev Sekhon said they cleaned up 10-km stretch and took out at least 2,500 tippers full of garbage. He said there was less time, so they collected waste alongside the canal, but now they are shifting the trash from the spot. He said residents are turning the canal into Buddha Nullah gradually and now it is their responsibility to keep the water body clean.
Notably, pollution in Sidhwan Canal came to light once again when a few active residents gathered near the canal and staged a protest. Then four residents approached National Green Tribunal (NGT) for redressal. Fearing action from NGT, the authorities swung into action and started cleanliness and challaning drive. However, MC officials are yet to submit a report in NGT about removal of garbage dump from side of canal near Gill bridge. They are yet to give reply to NGT which had asked why no penalty should be imposed against the civic body.