Sukhna Choe pollution: NGT to collect untreated water samples on Dec 5-6

A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) will carry out an inspection of the 16-km stretch of the Sukhna Choe to check the discharge of untreated waste water into it on December 5 and 6.

After chairing a meeting of the committee, UT Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said the members of the joint committee would visit all the sites in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur on December 5 and 6 to conduct a survey and take samples at all points from where the untreated water is discharged into the stream, and the UT Additional Deputy Commissioner would also accompany the members of the joint committee.

Yadav directed the committee to submit the report in the middle of December so that the same could be submitted to the NGT before January 31, 2025.

In an interim report submitted to the NGT in the first week of October, the joint committee had observed that partially untreated sewage was being discharged directly into the Ghaggar river through a pipeline in Zirakpur.

Members of the committee, under the chairmanship of the then UT DC Vinay Pratap Singh, carried out a survey of the Sukhna Choe from its origin to the point where it merged into the Ghaggar on September 26 to identify pollutant sources.

In its interim report submitted to the NGT, the committee observed that a sewage treatment plant (STP) of 17.3 MLD capacity, which received the waste of the Zirakpur area, was found non-functional and partially untreated sewage was directly being discharged into the Ghaggar river through an underground pipeline of about 3.5 km.

The committee also observed that heaps of solid waste and other trash were disposed of on the banks of the choe in the Baltana area and near the K-Area in Punjab.

The committee also visited Gazipur village, which is situated on the banks of the choe, and found that a slightly unpleasant odour had filled the air due to the dumping of cattle dung in the area.

During a visit to the Panchkula area, as part of the survey, the committee members observed that the Mansa Devi area drain was carrying untreated sewage of about 0.5 MLD into the Sukhna Choe.

The committee had recommended that the Zirakpur Municipal Council carry out a survey and identify the spots where the solid waste was dumped into the choe, and an ‘iron net’ be put up alongside the drain to prevent dumping of waste into it. The Zirakpur MC shall ensure regular operation and maintenance of the existing STP of 17.3 MLD capacity, it had said.

In compliance with an NGT order dated July 11, 2024, a joint committee was formed, with the UT DC as chairman and other members of the committee, including the Dera Bassi SDM and representatives of Mohali DC, Director, Regional Office, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Scientist D, Regional Office, Central Pollution Control Board, and Executive Officer, Zirakpur.

The NGT has directed the committee to submit its final report before the next day of hearing on January 31 next year.