Environmentalist Seechewal Slams 25-Day Shutdown of Ludhiana Treatment Plant
Rajya Sabha member and prominent environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal has voiced severe apprehension regarding the prolonged closure of the Haibowal effluent treatment plant (ETP) in Ludhiana, which has remained completely shut down for the past twenty-five days. Simultaneously, he highlighted the total collapse of the temporary Sekhewal sewage treatment model situated near the Tajpur dairy complex. Seechewal, who is spearheading the Buddha Dariya cleaning campaign through kar seva, pointed an accusatory finger at bureaucratic lapses, asserting they are significantly contributing to the ongoing pollution of the Buddha Dariya water body.
Inspection Reveals Systemic Failures
During his second inspection conducted in March, Seechewal confronted and reprimanded officials over the extended shutdown of the Haibowal ETP. He rigorously questioned representatives from the Municipal Corporation, Sewerage Board, and Punjab Pollution Control Board, demanding clarity on responsibility and accountability for the plant's repeated failures and the unchecked discharge of untreated animal waste directly into the drain.
Officials disclosed that the Haibowal plant had malfunctioned multiple times due to an excessive inflow of dung. Rather than properly disposing of the waste, dairy owners were allegedly flushing dung into the drainage system using heavy water pressure, causing it to enter the ETP directly. Compounding the issue, the company operating the plant informed officials that the municipal corporation had failed to pay an outstanding amount of Rs 19 crore owed for the past two and a half years.
Collapse of Temporary Model Exacerbates Crisis
A temporary sewage treatment plant had previously been installed at the Tajpur dairy complex to manage wastewater, where approximately 15 to 17 tippers of dung were collected daily. However, following the complete collapse of this model, all untreated sewage is now flowing unrestricted directly into the Buddha Dariya. This project was also notably linked with a sports organization, adding a layer of complexity to the environmental management efforts.
Broader Environmental and Health Implications
Seechewal emphasized the critical importance of the Satluj river, whose water is utilized for drinking purposes in Rajasthan and the Malwa region. He lamented that untreated and heavily polluted water from Ludhiana's dairies and dyeing units continues to flow into the Buddha Dariya without any restriction, posing severe risks to public health and regional water security.
Previously, Seechewal inspected cleaning operations in rural stretches of the drain, including Jainpur, Barnhara, and Talwara villages. Officials reported that seven large excavator machines have been deployed for an extended period to remove debris from the river, indicating some level of ongoing remediation effort.
Bureaucracy Cited as Major Obstacle
While acknowledging marginal improvements in water quality, Seechewal alleged that bureaucratic functioning continues to be a primary source of pollution in the drain. He stated unequivocally that bureaucracy represents the most significant hurdle in realizing Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's vision of transforming Punjab into a clean and environmentally sound state. The environmentalist's strong critique underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and accountable governance to address the escalating water pollution crisis in the region.
