Widespread Environmental Violations Exposed Agaia
By | PR Desk
Today, comprehensive environmental inspection conducted by the dedicated team of Paniyan De Hani, under the banner of the Public Action Committee (PAC) for Mattewara Forest, Sutlej River, and Buddha Dariya, once again brought to light the alarming condition of Buddha Dariya. The inspection highlighted how the river continues to suffer despite repeated assurances and interventions.
The inspection team, led by environmental activist Advocate Yogesh Khanna along with Mahinder Singh Sekhon and Gurpreet Singh, carried out a detailed survey from Tajpur Bridge to Lord Mahavir IPS. During this inspection, multiple major pollution discharge points were examined, revealing a deeply concerning situation on the ground.
During the inspection, it was found that large quantities of untreated and partially treated industrial and dairy waste are being discharged directly into Buddha Dariya. This practice clearly violates Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms and established environmental regulations, raising serious questions about enforcement and accountability.
Despite repeated assurances by authorities, directions from regulatory bodies, and heavy public expenditure on treatment infrastructure, the reality on the ground continues to reflect uncontrolled pollution, administrative negligence, and systemic environmental failure.
At the Focal Point Dyeing Association’s 50 MLD CETP, dark grey polluted water was observed being discharged into the river, with recorded TDS levels of 245 and pH levels exceeding 8. Similarly, the 40 MLD CETP of Focal Point PDA was found releasing brown-colored contaminated water, with TDS levels around 221 and pH above permissible limits.
The 225 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant at Tajpur was also found discharging foul-smelling pinkish-brown sewage water into the river. The condition of the discharge raised serious doubts about the efficiency and functioning of the treatment systems in place.
Near Amrit Kanda Bridge, large volumes of dairy waste were seen entering the river through temporary and inadequate arrangements based on the Seechewal model, indicating poor implementation and lack of long-term planning.
At the Tajpur discharge point, a 4 MLD Effluent Treatment Plant was found releasing untreated dairy waste in quantities far exceeding environmental standards. Additionally, near Dharam Kanda Bridge, continuous flow of black, foul-smelling industrial waste was observed entering the river through multiple pipelines carrying a mix of stormwater, dairy waste, and industrial effluents.
The inspection further revealed that the 15 MLD CETP of Bahadurke dyeing industrial units was discharging grey, foamy, and foul-smelling wastewater into the water stream. Another industrial discharge point near the northern side of Lord Mahavir IPS was also found releasing untreated waste directly into Buddha Dariya.
Apart from pollution, PAC members expressed serious concerns regarding ongoing infrastructure projects, including multiple bridge constructions over Buddha Dariya in central and northern assembly regions. These constructions, reportedly lacking scientific planning and technical compliance, are obstructing natural water flow, thereby increasing the risk of flooding and ecological damage.
The inspection team also observed significant accumulation of solid waste near the government fish market and open meat, fish, and vegetable markets in New Shivpuri, located along the southern bank near Central Jail. This unmanaged waste is further contributing to river pollution and posing serious public health risks.
The Gaunghat IPS, which is currently operational, was found to be temporary and insufficient in capacity. Meanwhile, permanent infrastructure solutions remain stalled due to land disputes pending in court, leaving the river exposed to continuous pollution inflow.
Given the severity of the situation, the PAC emphasized the urgent need for round-the-clock monitoring, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and accountability of all concerned departments. Advocate Yogesh Khanna urged the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, and the Sewerage Department to ensure genuine compliance with ZLD norms and to take strict and impartial action against violators.
The committee strongly recommended that both the state and central governments prepare and implement a comprehensive long-term rejuvenation plan for Buddha Dariya. It suggested that all discharge points should be diverted away from the river and directed towards scientifically developed centralized treatment facilities at Tajpur, Bhattian, and Balloke, where advanced treatment, recycling, and reuse systems can be implemented effectively.
PAC also stressed the importance of restoring the historical and ecological integrity of Buddha Dariya by ensuring adequate river width, removing encroachments, creating ecological buffer zones, and maintaining uninterrupted natural flow. Such measures are essential not only for environmental restoration but also for preventing urban flooding in older parts of the city.
The committee warned that the continuous discharge of untreated chemicals, industrial toxins, and heavy metals into natural water bodies constitutes an environmental crime against humanity. This ongoing pollution is directly linked to a rising number of serious health issues, including cancer, skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and other life-threatening conditions.
Appealing to the people of Punjab, PAC urged citizens to break their silence and raise their voices against environmental injustice. It emphasized that meaningful change can only be achieved through public awareness, active participation, and sustained collective pressure.
The committee also made a firm appeal to the government to move beyond symbolic actions and deliver real, effective solutions on the ground during its remaining tenure.
“Nature cannot be deceived forever. Buddha Dariya is crying out for justice, and history will remember us based on how honestly we respond to this environmental crisis,” said Colonel C.M. Lakhanpal, Member of PAC.
