Ludhiana: No end to effluent flow into Buddha Nullah despite pollution board ban

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has ordered the immediate cessation of treated effluent discharge from three Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) into the Buddha Nullah, a tributary of the Sutlej. These orders were issued on September 25, following directions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the imposition of a Rs 2.77 crore fine on the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) operating the three CETPs.

Despite the directive, pollution in the Sutlej tributary remains rampant, with effluents still being released into the waterway. The PPCB’s action comes ahead of the October 1 deadline set by the civil society group, Kale Pani Da Morcha, which has threatened to forcibly stop the effluent flow if action is not taken.

PPCB Chairman, Adarsh Pal Vig, confirmed that orders had been issued after hearing all relevant stakeholders. However, during a site visit, it was observed that effluent discharge into the Buddha Nullah was still ongoing. Local PPCB officials stated they would seek further instructions to potentially seal the dyeing units that are discharging their waste into the CETPs.

This situation jeopardises the future of over 200 dyeing units that send their effluents to these treatment plants. Environmentalist Col Jasjit Gill (retd) pointed out that unless these dyeing units are shut down, the order to stop the 105 million liters per day (MLD) of treated effluent discharge into the Sutlej tributary would be ineffective. He called for the withdrawal of operating consent for the 205 dyeing units connected to these CETPs.

Jaskirat Singh, representing Kale Pani Da Morcha, welcomed the development but stressed the need for strict enforcement. He confirmed that treated effluents were still flowing into Buddha Nullah as of the evening of the order.

Earlier, on August 12, CPCB member secretary Bharat Kumar Sharma highlighted findings from an April 2 inspection of the Buddha Nullah and the Sutlej. The water quality parameters were found to be non-compliant with environmental standards, showing high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). A comparative analysis between 2022 and 2024 revealed worsening pollution levels.

Further inspections on April 22 and 23 found that out of four CETPs in Ludhiana, only one (a zero-liquid discharge plant) met compliance standards, while the others exceeded discharge limits. The CPCB directed the PPCB to stop treated effluent discharge from the non-compliant CETPs and ensure they adhere to the prescribed environmental standards. Additionally, the PPCB was tasked with imposing environmental compensation and ensuring proper treatment to meet the necessary discharge standards.

However, despite these actions, the pollution of the Buddha Nullah and the Sutlej remains a critical environmental issue.