176 tonnes of dung entering Buddha Dariya daily, review meet flags crisis

Ludhiana: Dung flowing into Buddha Dariya continues to be one of the biggest challenges in ongoing efforts to clean the polluted water body. The issue was discussed in detail during a two-hour review meeting chaired by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, who said that while progress is being made in the cleanliness drive, several key tasks remain unfinished. He added that efforts are underway to ensure clean water reaches Gau Ghat gurdwara.A major point of concern raised in the meeting was the continuous discharge of dung into the drain from large dairy clusters in the city. According to officials, around 200 tonnes of dung is generated daily at the Tajpur dairy complex and 400 tons at the Haibowal dairy complex. However, full lifting of dung from Haibowal does not take place despite the MC having awarded a tender to a contractor for the job.
As per current figures shared in the meeting, 220 tonnes of dung from Haibowal Dairy Complex is sent to the CBG plant, while the contractor additionally lifts 36 tonnes. From the Tajpur Dairy Complex, the municipal corporation lifts 170 tonnes. Despite these efforts, an estimated 176 tonnes of dung still ends up in Buddha Dariya every day. Officials decided that meetings with dairy owners and contractors would be held soon to work out solutions.The review meeting was attended by mayor Inderjit Kaur, commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta, additional commissioner Paramdeep Singh Khaira and officers from various departments. Action taken reports from previous meetings were also examined.During the discussion, Seechewal expressed concern over the functioning of the power department, stating that even after electricity connections of illegal dairies were disconnected, power theft continued. He alleged that some dairy owners continued to use free electricity and criticised the Punjab Pollution Control Board for not presenting reports related to industrial activity.Meanwhile, preparations are underway for another high-level review. Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria is scheduled to visit Ludhiana on Feb 21 to hold a meeting regarding the Buddha Dariya pollution issue.MSID:: 128424617 413 |