JALANDHAR NEWS: Reviewing the conditions and status of inflow of untreated industrial water and municipal waste into Kala Sanghian drain, renowned environmentalist and Punjab’ Pollution Control Board (PPCB) member Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal on Tuesday threatened the district administration with blocking the inflow again on February 22.
Accompanied by PPCB secretary member Babu Lal and board officials, Seechewal visit ed the drain at Nahal village near here and said on February 22, 2008, in a first-of-its-kind community campaign againstuntreat ed water and waste, they forcibly blocked the inflow of polluted water in the drain, with the cooperation of environment lovers.
Seechewal said, however, at that time the administration sought one month’s time to resolve the issue, but had failed to ensure release of treated water into the drain even after two years.
The noted environmentalist, whose efforts resulted in to a new lease of life to Kali Bein, urged the district administration and municipal corporation to get stopped the release of polluted water into the drain with out giving any extra time to those who leave untreated water in the drain.
After visiting the stretch of the drain along the leather complex, Babu Lalsaid PPCB is working on war footing to stop the release of untreated water. “We are uninterruptedly in touch with the MC and district administration to resolve the issue,” he added. .
He said the March 31 is the deadline for the Rs 18-crore under-construction 5 millions litre a day (MLD) treatment plant. When the plant would start working, 95 per cent of the problem would be solved and the solution ofthe remaining problem is dilution, he said, adding that a high-level meeting in this regard would be held in coming days.
Admitting the sufferings faced by hundreds of villagers along drain’s bank, Babu Lal said this is a serious issue and the MC authorities and district administration should warn those industrial units and natives, who throw waste and untreated water into the drain.
