The Punjab government has formed a committee headed by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal to address pollution in Ludhiana’s Buddha Dariya, giving the panel 15 days to recommend measures against untreated waste discharge and strengthen enforcement of pollution-control norms.
The nine-to-ten-member committee was constituted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after a meeting with senior officials from various departments, representatives of dairy owners from Tajpur Road and Hambran Road, and other industry stakeholders. The panel will examine the sources of pollution and prepare a set of measures aimed at preventing untreated waste from entering the water body.
The government has directed the secretary, local government, and other concerned officials to coordinate with the committee and prepare a comprehensive action plan. The directions place municipal and departmental coordination at the centre of the exercise, alongside participation from industries and dairy operators located in areas identified as relevant to the pollution problem.
Deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain said the chief minister had asked the departments concerned to identify practical solutions and submit a detailed report within the stipulated 15-day period. The report is expected to outline measures that can be implemented to address the discharge of untreated waste and gaps in the existing system.
Seechewal said the committee would hold regular meetings to examine different sources of pollution and work towards finalising a concrete action plan. The committee’s work will involve officials, industrial representatives, dairy owners and other stakeholders in identifying weaknesses in the current arrangements and suggesting corrective measures.
The government has also ordered strict action against those found violating prescribed pollution-control regulations. The exercise is expected to focus on waste management, treatment of dairy effluents, industrial discharge and monitoring systems designed to prevent untreated waste from reaching the Buddha Dariya.
The committee’s immediate milestone is the submission of its recommendations and the detailed report within 15 days. The Punjab government’s subsequent action plan and enforcement measures will determine how the recommendations are taken forward.
