The Public Action Committee (PAC) for Mattewara Jungles, River Satluj, and Buddha Dariya has raised a red flag, declaring an environmental crisis in Ludhiana. Their recent field inspection revealed a shocking and continuous discharge of untreated and partially treated industrial and sewage waste directly into the vital Satluj river, posing a severe threat to public health and ecology.
Field Inspection Reveals Alarming Scenes
During their visit, PAC members witnessed a distressing sight at the discharge point near Dhussi Bundh. White, chemical-laden effluents with excessive froth, resembling floating snow, were flowing into the Satluj, accompanied by an unbearable stench. This visual and olfactory evidence pointed to a gross failure of treatment processes and hinted at the possible intentional diversion of untreated waste loads.
One of the members, Col CM Lakhanpal, explained the suspected cause. He stated that an increased load appeared to be entering the Bhattian Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) through diversion lines from the Jamalpur–Malhar Cinema–Sunder Nagar–Chand Cinema–Metro corridor. This influx overwhelmed the system's capacity, leading to the direct discharge of toxic effluents into the river.
Systemic Failures and Commendable Efforts
The committee expressed grave concerns over the performance of the recently upgraded Bhattian STP, which is operated by a private firm. They claimed it showed near-zero effective performance on the ground, raising serious questions about operational integrity, accountability, and monitoring mechanisms. In a separate but equally troubling discovery, the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Bahadur Ke Road, which serves local dyeing units, was also found discharging untreated chemical effluents into the Buddha Dariya, further poisoning the river system and subsoil aquifers.
Amidst the pollution, the PAC also observed a contrasting example of responsibility. They encountered off-road enthusiasts camping on the Satluj riverbed who left no waste behind. The PAC appreciated their conduct, noting it proves responsible human activity is possible when awareness and ethics prevail. The group was spreading awareness about nature conservation through adventure.
The inspection also highlighted the commendable work of environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal's team, which was engaged in removing solid waste, sludge, and dairy waste near Buddha Dariya—a critical effort to reduce flood risks in Ludhiana's Old City area.
An Urgent Call for Action and Structural Concerns
The PAC has briefed local MP and his team on the latest chemical pollution entering the Satluj via the Bhattian–Kasabad drain, discussing urgent corrective measures. They also identified a structural threat: from Sunder Nagar bridge to Lord Mahavira Hospital bridge, the width of Buddha Dariya is narrowing due to unscientific road construction and new bridge structures. This creates future choke points likely to aggravate floods and cause pollution stagnation.
The committee has appealed to both the state and central governments to treat this not as a routine compliance issue but as an environmental emergency. They warned that the continued poisoning of the Satluj and Buddha Dariya is destroying public health, biodiversity, livelihoods, and Punjab's future. The PAC also extended an invitation to all industrial units to become responsible partners in restoration through community participation, compliance, and transparent operations.
