The agitation against pollution in the Buddha Nullah, led by activist Lakha Sidhana under the banner of Kale Pani Da Morcha, escalated on Tuesday, with protesters and police clashing over demands for cleaner water and stringent measures against polluting industries. The protest aims to highlight the environmental and health crisis caused by untreated industrial effluents and sewage dumped into the Buddha Nullah, which flows into the Sutlej River and ultimately affects downstream regions like Rajasthan.
Thousands of protesters, responding to Sidhana’s call for action, gathered near Punjab Agricultural University on the Ferozepur Highway. Police intervention to halt their march resulted in violent confrontations, with several officers, including CIA-3 in-charge Navdeep, sustaining injuries. Over 150 protesters were detained, prompting demonstrators to block the Ludhiana-Ferozepur Highway, creating massive disruptions in the city.
To curb the spread of information and prevent escalation, police deployed mobile network jammers in key areas. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Chahal was present to monitor the volatile situation.
The protest stems from long-standing grievances over pollution caused by the city’s dyeing industries. According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Ludhiana has 265 dyeing units, divided into large-scale, scattered, and those connected to Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). Despite measures like the installation of three CETPs with a combined capacity of 105 MLD, activists and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have flagged consistent violations.
A CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) revealed that CETPs fail to meet environmental norms for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Environmental compensations totaling several crores have been levied on these facilities, but activists argue that enforcement remains weak.
Activists assert that untreated and chemically-laden wastewater from the Buddha Nullah severely impacts public health. In Rajasthan, where the Sutlej carries the nullah’s toxic load, residents report an increase in waterborne diseases. The NGT has taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, urging stricter action against violators and independent sampling to ensure accountability.
Kale Pani Da Morcha leaders, including Amandeep Singh Bains and Kuldeep Singh Khaira, demand immediate government intervention to clean the nullah and enforce zero liquid discharge (ZLD) standards for dyeing units. They accuse the state government of failing to act despite repeated directives from the NGT and CPCB.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened around CETPs and industrial units to prevent potential sabotage. The state government has yet to issue a comprehensive response to the protesters’ demands.
Buddha Nullah is a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej River, running through Ludhiana. Historically a freshwater stream, it has become synonymous with severe pollution over the years due to urban and industrial waste dumping. The nullah serves as a crucial drainage system for Ludhiana city and surrounding areas, particularly during monsoon seasons. It carries its waters, along with contaminants, into the Sutlej River, impacting downstream regions in Punjab and Rajasthan.
Three CETPs have been established in Ludhiana with a combined capacity of 105 MLD (million liters per day). However, these plants often fail to meet environmental standards, particularly for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
Comments