Ludhiana's Buddha Dariya Faces Persistent Dung Pollution Crisis
The ongoing battle to clean the heavily polluted Buddha Dariya in Ludhiana continues to face significant hurdles, with the daily flow of dung into the water body emerging as a primary concern. During a comprehensive two-hour review meeting chaired by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, officials acknowledged progress in the cleanliness drive but highlighted several critical tasks that remain incomplete.
Dairy Complexes: Major Sources of Contamination
A central issue discussed was the continuous discharge of dung from large dairy clusters within the city. According to official data presented at the meeting:
- The Tajpur dairy complex generates approximately 200 tonnes of dung daily
- The Haibowal dairy complex produces around 400 tonnes of dung each day
Despite the municipal corporation awarding a tender for dung removal at Haibowal, full lifting operations have not been implemented. Current figures reveal that 220 tonnes of dung from Haibowal Dairy Complex are sent to the CBG plant, with an additional 36 tonnes lifted by the contractor. From Tajpur Dairy Complex, the municipal corporation manages to lift 170 tonnes.
Alarming Daily Dung Flow into Water Body
Despite these removal efforts, an estimated 176 tonnes of dung still enters Buddha Dariya every single day, creating a persistent environmental challenge. Officials decided that immediate meetings with dairy owners and contractors would be organized to develop effective solutions to this pressing problem.
High-Level Review Meeting Participants
The review meeting saw participation from key city officials including:
- Mayor Inderjit Kaur
- Commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta
- Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh Khaira
- Officers from various municipal departments
Participants examined action taken reports from previous meetings to assess progress and identify areas requiring urgent attention.
Additional Concerns Raised During Discussion
During the meeting, Seechewal expressed serious concerns about multiple aspects of the pollution control efforts:
- Power Department Functioning: Despite electricity connections to illegal dairies being disconnected, power theft continues unabated
- Free Electricity Usage: Some dairy owners allegedly continue to use electricity without proper authorization
- Pollution Control Board: Criticism was directed at the Punjab Pollution Control Board for not presenting comprehensive reports related to industrial activity in the area
Upcoming High-Level Review
Preparations are currently underway for another significant review of the situation. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is scheduled to visit Ludhiana on February 21 specifically to hold a meeting regarding the Buddha Dariya pollution issue, indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating this environmental challenge.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to ensure clean water reaches the Gau Ghat gurdwara, though the persistent dung flow into Buddha Dariya remains a substantial obstacle to comprehensive cleanup success.
