Ludhiana: Residents of Sarabha Nagar on Sunday renewed their opposition to the installation of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Leisure Valley, alleging that the project would affect the environment. They gathered at the park near the MC Zone D office and staged a protest, demanding that the civic body immediately halt construction work.The residents claimed to have opposed the project twice in the past, following which work was stopped. However, they said construction activities had now resumed despite objections.MC formally inaugurated the project for the establishment of a 40 kilolitre capacity wastewater treatment plant in Leisure Valley on March 15, 2024. The initiative, undertaken jointly by the MC and a private bank, was aimed at treating wastewater and reuse the treated water for irrigation and horticulture purposes.Under the project, an underground decentralised wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) is proposed to treat sewer water. The treated water is intended to be used for gardening at the Sidhwan Canal Waterfront project, Leisure Valley and other nearby parks. The private bank was also expected to maintain the project for two years after its completion.Residents, however, maintained that the location selected for the plant was inappropriate. They said objections were raised soon after construction began in 2024, resulting in work being stopped on two occasions.Speaking during the protest, resident Nitin Thapar said Leisure Valley was developed under the Smart City project for the benefit of citizens and has become a popular recreational space for people of all age groups.“This leisure valley park has been set up under the smart city project for the benefit of the citizens. A large number of residents visit Leisure Valley every day for morning and evening walks. Children visit leisure valley daily to play on the two badminton courts,” he said.Questioning the decision to locate the facility in the park, Thapar added, “How can authorities plan a sewage treatment plant in the park adjoining these badminton courts which are playing fields for the children as well for the elders?“Another resident, Karan Aggarwal, termed the resumption of construction work “highly regrettable”. He said residents were firmly opposed to the project and expressed concerns over possible odour and its impact on nearby households.“If a sewage treatment plant is set up in leisure valley, the stench will spread all over the area, including the residential section, which is 20 metres away,” he said.Aggarwal also said the project would discourage residents from visiting the park and adversely affect children, senior citizens and other visitors.Resident Ashwani Chaudhary also urged the authorities to stop the work immediately. He questioned why the project had been revived after earlier objections from residents had led to its suspension.“Once the construction of STP was stopped on the objection of residents in 2024, then why has the municipal corporation again started construction,” he asked, alleging that the civic body was damaging a park developed at significant public expense.The protesting residents demanded that the municipal authorities reconsider the project and explore an alternative location for the proposed treatment plant.
