Ludhiana 2nd worst in India in violating environmental norms

LUDHIANA: Ludhiana, which witnessed one of its worst gas leak incidents ever in Giaspura a few days back, had reported second highest cases under the Environmental (Protection) Act among 34 metropolitan cities in India in 2021, the previous National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report revealed. But according to green activists, the problem is far more serious than it appears, and violation of environment protection norms is more than what is reported in Ludhiana.
As per the last NCRB report, Ludhiana had 23 cases of violations in 2021. Aurangabad in Maharashtra was on top of the list with 61 cases.
The report said in Punjab, no other district (including police districts) or commissionareates of police (CP) other than Ludhiana witnessed any case under the act. Ludhiana’s number constituted 25.8% of all cases in the 34 metropolitan cities in the country.
As per the data, the district reported 18 cases in 2020.
The green activists said cases of violation of environment norms are much higher than what is actually reported. Col C M Lakhanpal (retd), who is member of Buddha Dariya action front and public action committee, said second rank among 34 metropolitan cities of the country isn’t a good sign for the city. But the number must be much higher than what is recorded, he said.
“It is related to misuse of mixed land use because of which factories operate in residential areas resulting in air, water and soil pollution. Giaspura where the incident happened is a congested area with large number of factories. Though the government had given the units one-time extension for five years to operate from such areas, they should move to the area earmarked by the government which they are not doing,”