Municipal Corporation Acts on Contamination Complaints
The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) has disconnected the water supply and sewer connections of Amar Color Chemicals, a chemical factory located in Ward No. 35, following complaints of contaminated drinking water from local residents. An emergency inspection conducted by the MC's field team on the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill revealed that the factory was discharging untreated chemical wastewater directly into the municipal sewer line. This discharge led to contamination of the drinking water supply in the surrounding area, posing a serious public health risk, according to MC officials.
Immediate Remedial Measures Initiated
The MC has begun cleaning and flushing the affected water pipelines to remove contaminated water and restore a safe drinking water supply. Household water connections in the affected locality are being inspected, and water tankers have been deployed to ensure residents have access to clean water until normal supply is fully restored. The enforcement action was carried out under the supervision of Superintending Engineer Harpreet Singh, with SDO Rajesh Kumar and JE Gurjit Singh executing the disconnection. Makboolpura SHO Amandeep Kaur and a police team were present during the operation.
Legal Action Under Environmental Laws
The Municipal Corporation has referred the matter to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for legal action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Proceedings have also been initiated for the registration of an FIR against Amar Color Chemicals for allegedly discharging untreated industrial effluent into the municipal sewerage system and endangering public health. Municipal Commissioner Shergill stated that the MC is following a zero-tolerance policy against any individual or industrial unit found polluting the city's sewerage or drinking water infrastructure. He emphasized that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible and that the administration is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure early restoration of safe drinking water.
Public Appeal to Report Violations
The MC has appealed to residents to immediately report any instance of drinking water contamination or the illegal discharge of chemical waste by industrial units. This will enable prompt action to protect public health and the environment. The civic body has urged citizens to cooperate in maintaining the safety of the city's water infrastructure.
