Waste dumped into Sidhwan Canal on Dasehra

Despite being aware of the fact that people dump solid waste in the waterbodies on the occasion of Dasehraevery year, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation failed to deploy staff to prevent this act.

Many residents were today seen dumping solid waste directly into the Sidhwan Canal at various locations upstream from Gill Bridge and even plastic waste was found to be set on fire by them.

“This is also common at the Chhath Puja after Diwali and preventive steps are required to be taken to avoid water pollution. It is pertinent to mention here that despite raising the issue last year, the MC still allowed Chhath Puja on the bed of Sidhwan Canal, thus an early action in this regard is the need of the hour,” social activist, Kapil Arora, who has also submitted a complaint with chief secretary, PPCB and Irrigation in this regard, said.

Polluting waterbodies is a punishable offence and there are the NGT has directed the MC to ensure no solid waste reached the Sidhwan Canal.

“It seems the MC has deliberately not taken preventive steps to avoid water pollution in the Sidhwan Canal. The MC has submitted one affidavit declaring the grills and wire mesh along Sidhwan Canal has been completely installed within the MC’s limits. No such chain link has been installed towards the right side of the canal passing through the area (Lohara Bridge to Gill bridge) which is the most prone to dumping of garbage. Thus, the MC has submitted a false affidavit before the Bench. Further, due to regular dumping of garbage, the downstream area of Sidhwan Canal stands polluted after being cleaned by the civic body. This has resulted in sheer wastage of public money spent,” Arora added.

“When the idols are immersed in the water, these constituting components lead to significant alteration in the water quality. The materials released through idol in the river and lake after decomposition result in pollution of the water bodies,” said Talwar.