Washing cars with detergents polluting water, damaging roads

Ludhiana: Roads are getting damaged, as residents of Ludhiana are washing their cars on roads, especially with detergents, soaps, and shampoos which leads to a blockage in the stormwater drainage, and roads becoming slippery.
Ravinder Garg, superintendent engineer of operation and maintenance cell, said: “We are doing our best to make this city safe and clean by fining people violating rules.For a first-time violation, we issue a challan of Rs1,000; for second time, it is Rs2,000, and for the third time, it is Rs5,000, after which water supply to the defaulter will be cut off.”
“This is also dangerous for stray animals that consume this water,” said Pooja Goswami, a student living in Haibowal.
Green Field teacher Yukti Sharma said: “Not only are roads damaged, but this sort of car washing can also cause illnesses, as in some places, the water stays on the road for many days, thus breeding mosquitoes.”
Model Town resident Ravneet Bajaj said: “Technology can save you from getting a challan and wasting so much water. Now, we have many dry car wash appliances in the market which are as effective as car wash, and they also help us be eco-friendly.”
Jitinder Churasiya, a carpenter near Partap Chowk, said: “A lot of water is being wasted, which can be a big issue for the environment. People should understand the importance of water and stop washing their cars with so much water, which must be saved for the future generation.”
BCM student Srishti Sharma, from Model Town Extension, said: “Laws are made for people, and people should follow them for their welfare and that of society. They should understand the value of water, as this is our country, and if we waste water, we are wasting our own natural resources. To stop this act of crime, we should start getting our cars washed outside in car salons, which will not only save water, but also help your car get a good wash, as they use soft water to do it.”