Untreated sewage, tanneries pollute Sutlej, border dwellers’ health at risk

Enraged over the alleged release of sewage into the Sutlej, residents of the villages situated along the Indo-Pak border in this district are up in arms due to severe health ailments being caused due to the polluted water.

The water coming out of the sewage treatment plant (STP) situated at Kunde village is allegedly entering Sutlej polluting its water. Sources revealed that around 30 mega litres per day (MLD) sewage was coming to the STP against its design capacity of 18 MLD. As a result, treated as well as untreated water is reportedly going into the Sutlej.

When The Tribune visited the STP site, it found that sewage water coming towards the STP was getting mixed with the treated water coming out of the STP.

“Several villagers are facing serious health issues, including skin problems, as they have to wade through the Sutlej waters at several places to reach their fields situated across the fence,” said Maggar Singh, a farmer.

“We have been complaining about sewage water being released into the Sutlej. Not only people belonging to this area, but our brothers in Fazilka and Jalalabad areas are also getting affected as at certain places, Sutlej water is being consumed for drinking also,” said Punjab Singh, a resident of Rau ke Hithar village in Mamdot block.

Jagwinder Singh, a resident of Dona Telu Mal village, said that his village was situated close to the Sutlej. “Few years ago, the Sutlej water was clean with no pungent smell. In the recent years, its condition has deteriorated due to the reported release of sewage water,” said Jagwinder.

“In addition to skin problems, residents belonging to the villages close to the Sutlej are also facing bone-related issues, hair loss besides other serious health issues,” said Fauja Singh, a resident of Bhaba Haji village, adding that the administration must look into this matter seriously.

Sutlej water was already being polluted due to heavy discharge of toxic water and effluents from the tanneries situated in and around Kasur district in Pakistan, famous for Punjabi ‘juttis’.

The meandering Sutlej enters Pakistan several times near Kasur area and comes back into India. Before it enters Pakistan, the water is clean, but when it comes back, it has a lot of chemicals. Due to the discharge of chemicals, even the underground water in this region is getting polluted.

Karan Singh Dhaliwal, secretary, Border Kissan Union (Punjab), said that these STPs were of no use and villagers belonging to border areas, and especially those situated close to the Sutlej, were facing serious problems like cancer. “The so-called treated water which is being released into the Sutlej, as per officials, is not totally free of impurities and is causing lot of pollution,” he alleged.