Residents Urged to Prioritise Buddha Nullah Pollution Issue in Upcoming Elections
Ludhiana, December 13: The members of Kala Pani Da Morcha have accused the Punjab government of allegedly betraying public trust by failing to fulfill its promise to stop the discharge of toxic effluents from dyeing industries into the Buddha Dariya. The allegations were made during a press conference held by the Morcha on Friday.
The Morcha claimed that government officials had assured them during the protest held near Verka Milk Plant on December 3 that the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Bahadur Ke Road would be shut down within two days. Additionally, they had promised to take a legal decision within seven days regarding the closure of two other CETPs linked to the dyeing industry. However, the Morcha alleged that these promises remain unfulfilled.
Engineer Jaskirat Singh, along with activists Amitoj Mann and Lakha Singh Sidhana, addressed a press conference in Ludhiana, where they accused the Punjab government of “outright betrayal.” They asserted that the people of Punjab would not forgive the administration for its inaction. They called on Ludhiana residents to make pollution in the Buddha Nullah a central issue in the upcoming municipal corporation elections, urging voters to hold ruling party leaders accountable for their failure to act.
The activists alleged that the dyeing industry’s CETPs discharge 10.5 crore liters of toxic, chemical-laden water daily into the Sutlej River through the Buddha Nullah, exacerbating pollution in the region. Contrary to its commitments, the government has allegedly aligned itself with the polluting industries, alleged the Morcha. Notably, a hearing on the matter is scheduled before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 23.
Statewide Campaign Announced
Unveiling their next course of action, the Morcha announced a statewide campaign starting January 1, 2025. The campaign aims to mobilise citizens across Punjab—village by village and city by city—to demand accountability from the government.
The members also expressed solidarity with farmers, praying for the recovery of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, and appealed to the public to stand united with the farming community.
Follow Us: