Not to blame for pollution in Buddha Nullah: Dyers’ assn

The Punjab Dyers’ Association said pollution in the Buddha Nullah was not caused by their industry, that had installed its own Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP). Association members said samples collected from the nullah on September 6 and 9, respectively, showed the water was clean at the points where dyeing units discharged their effluents, and that the nullah became contaminated as it passed through other areas of the city.

Bobby Jindal, secretary of the Punjab Dyers’ Association, told The Tribune that the samples’ report was out — a copy of which is with The Tribune. The PPCB collected the samples on September 6 and 9, following the NGT’s instructions. According to the report, the samples were satisfactory till Balaji Pulley and Mahavir Complex Pulley, as required by the authorities.

The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at Balaji Pulley was 21 on September 6 and 17 on September 9, while the BOD of Mahavir Jain Pulley was 28 and 14, respectively, on September 6 and 9. To determine the difference, the samples were collected on two separate occasions when the dyeing units were open and closed.

“At points where the dyeing units discharge, the water is suitable for agriculture and fish can thrive. Beyond this point, the BOD increases. It was measured at 56/40, 82/75 on September 6 and 9, and continued to rise at Gau Ghat Drain, Sunder Nagar Pulley, Chand Cinema Pulley, Kundal Nagar Pulley, and other locations. If the dyeing industry had polluted the water bodies, it would have been evident from the samples collected at the various discharge locations,” Jindal added.

Ashok Makkar, Chairman of the dyeing association, said water in the nullah till Mahavir Jain Pulley could be used for agricultural purposes, implying that the dyeing industry was not to blame for polluting the nullah. “Some areas are more contaminated with higher BOD levels, as water there contains discharge by domestic users and other industrial units. There are numerous pipes, and the waste water flows directly into the Buddha Nullah rather than passing through the STPs. The dyeing units utilising the CETPs discharge treated water only through the plants and not directly into the nullah. The government should investigate who the true culprits are and take appropriate legal action against them,” Makkar said.