Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Pursues Elite Water+ Certification
In a landmark initiative for urban environmental sustainability, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has officially commenced the procedure to obtain the prestigious Water+ certification for the city. The civic authority issued a public notification on Wednesday, inviting residents to submit any objections within a 15-day period. This statutory step is crucial before the MC can potentially be declared a Water+ city, marking a significant achievement in India's urban development landscape.
What Water+ Certification Entails
The Water+ tag represents the highest benchmark in municipal wastewater management. To qualify, a city must demonstrate that 100% of its sewage is systematically collected and processed through treatment facilities. Furthermore, no untreated wastewater can be discharged into rivers or drainage systems, and the treated water must be actively reused for various purposes, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes environmental impact.
Environmentalists Raise Serious Objections
Despite the municipal corporation's aspirations, environmental advocates and local residents have voiced strong opposition to the claims underlying the Water+ application. Retired Colonel CM Lakhanpal formally objected to MC Commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta on Wednesday, highlighting that polluted water and dairy waste containing dung continue to flow daily into the Buddha Dariya. He further asserted that the effluent discharged from existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) fails to meet established environmental standards.
Lakhanpal questioned both the validity of the proposed Water+ declaration and the actual extent of wastewater reuse within Ludhiana. Activist Kuldeep Khaira echoed these concerns, asking why the Buddha Dariya remains polluted and unrejuvenated if, as officials claim, all industrial and domestic sewage is being effectively processed through CETPs, STPs, and dairy Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
Prerequisites and Procedural Steps
To be eligible for the Water+ certification, a city must first achieve Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status, which Ludhiana accomplished years ago. The city subsequently progressed to ODF+ and ODF++ certifications, ensuring the scientific collection and disposal of faecal sludge along with proper maintenance of public toilet facilities.
Municipal officials stated that if successful, Ludhiana would become the fifth municipal corporation in India to attain this distinguished recognition. Commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta maintained that the city meets all necessary requirements, which would significantly enhance its annual rating under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission).
Next Steps in the Certification Process
Following the two-week public objection period, the municipal corporation will address any concerns raised by residents. The proposal will then be presented to the Municipal House for approval. Upon receiving House consent, the Municipal Corporation will officially declare Ludhiana a Water+ city, aiming to establish a cleaner environmental footprint and set a national example for sustainable urban wastewater management.
This development represents a critical juncture for Ludhiana's environmental governance, balancing ambitious sustainability goals against practical challenges in pollution control and infrastructure effectiveness.
