December 6: Following the December 3 protest by the Kale Pani Da Morcha against industrial pollution in Buddha Dariya (commonly known as Buddha Nullah), members of the group on Friday accused the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the administration of not fulfilling their promise to shut down the 15 MLD CETP at Bahadur Ke Road, Ludhiana. The Morcha members questioned the state government’s role, citing their ‘failure’ to take action.
The Morcha claimed that during their protest on December 3, a senior official of District Administration had assured them the 15 MLD CETP (Bahadur Ke Road) would be closed within two days, with decisions on the 40 MLD and 50 MLD CETPs to follow a legal review within a week. Viewing this as a victory, the Morcha had temporarily ended its agitation on Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana.
However, on December 6, Morcha leaders Jaskirat Singh and Kuldeep Singh Khaira visited the site where the CETP at Bahadur Ke Road discharges water into Buddha Dariya. They accused the authorities of failing to meet their promise to shut down the 15 MLD CETP within the promised timeframe.
Notably, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had earlier identified major deficiencies in Ludhiana’s Common Effluent Treatment Plants, which handle waste from dyeing units. Following an inspection in April, the CPCB directed the plants to upgrade their systems to meet discharge standards and comply with environmental clearance conditions. It also instructed the CETPs to stop discharging treated water into Buddha Nullah.
The Kale Pani Da Morcha has repeatedly accused the PPCB authorities of ignoring these directives. They had warned of launching a massive protest and blocking CETP outlets connected to Buddha Dariya if immediate action was not taken.
On December 5, the PPCB issued a letter to the CETP Bahadur Ke authorities regarding the proceedings of the personal hearing conducted by the Chairman of the PPCB on November 19 concerning a notice to issue directions under Section 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, as amended in 1988, according to sources.
PPCB’s letter states that the representative of the CETP of 15 MLD informed the Board that their case is similar to that of the CETPs of 40 MLD and 50 MLD. The representative had claimed that they have also filed an appeal before the National Green Tribunal against the Board’s orders. Considering this aspect, the CETP of 15 MLD has been granted a reasonable period of time to produce the NGT orders similar to those of the 40 MLD and 50 MLD CETPs. Failure to do so will result in further action in accordance with the law, according to the letter.
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