Chandigarh, November 13, 2024:Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh chaired a high-level meeting at the Municipal Bhawan to address pollution in Ludhiana’s Buddha Dariya, calling for the identification of pollution sources and reiterating the state government’s commitment to providing a clean, pollution-free environment.
The officials discussed collaborative steps to implement effective pollution control strategies and ensure the long-term cleanliness of the Buddha Dariya.
Dr. Ravjot Singh urged the officials from the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and related departments to take quick action to identify and curb the sources of pollution affecting the river.
“We must diligently fulfill our responsibilities to ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for our citizens,” he said in the meeting.
The meeting saw the presence of key figures, including Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishna Singh Rowdy, and Ludhiana (West) MLA Gurpreet Gogi.
Officials from various departments participated in a detailed review of strategies to clean and preserve the Buddha Dariya.
The meeting also included senior officials such as Additional Chief Secretary of Local Government Tejveer Singh, Department Director Gurpreet Singh, CEO of PMIDC Deepti Uppal, and representatives from the Punjab Energy Development Agency, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Water Department, Drainage Department, and Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
Buddha Dariya, a once-thriving tributary of the Sutlej River, has turned into one of Punjab’s most polluted water bodies. Flowing through Ludhiana, the industrial hub of the state, the river now suffers from severe contamination due to unchecked industrial waste, untreated sewage, and encroachments.
Over the years, Buddha Dariya has become a symbol of Punjab’s escalating environmental crisis.
Historically, the Buddha Dariya was a freshwater stream that supported agriculture and provided drinking water to local communities. Named after the revered Sikh figure, Baba Buddha Ji, it once played a crucial role in the region’s ecosystem, nourishing surrounding farmlands and serving as a vital source of water.
Recent meetings, led by Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, have aimed at expediting the cleanup process.
The minister called for extensive measures, urging officials from various departments to identify pollution sources and implement actionable solutions quickly.
The government plans to introduce new policies focused on industrial waste management, stricter monitoring of effluent discharge, and public awareness campaigns to involve local communities in the cleanup drive.
