Ludhiana: The municipal corporation’s plan to seek Water Plus certification under the Swachh Bharat Mission has drawn sharp reactions from residents and activists, who have questioned both the city’s preparedness for the certification and the manner in which public feedback is being sought.With the absence of an e-mail address in the public notice emerging as a major concern, activists continue to raise objections. They said many residents do not have adequate time to visit the MC office in person to register objections and that the process effectively discourages wider public participation.Col J S Gill, an activist, said Ludhiana was not fulfilling essential conditions for Water Plus certification because of continued pollution of the Buddha Dariya. He alleged that effluents from the common effluent treatment plant of dyeing units, as well as sewage treatment plants at Balloke and Tajpur, were still flowing into the drain. Gill cited statements made by AAP Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, who has said that cow dung and industrial pollution continue to affect Buddha Dariya.Gill alleged that the Bhattian sewage treatment plant was discharging treated water directly into the river Sutlej at Kasabad, but the water was hardly ever tested. He claimed that the black colour of the water indicated that effluents from the dyeing industry were mixing with the inlet sewerage.Referring to Water Plus norms, Gill said the certification emphasises treatment of 100% waste water from residential and commercial areas as per Central Pollution Control Board norms, safe disposal of waste water, recycling of treated water and prevention of untreated discharge into rivers or other water bodies. This includes setting up sewage treatment plants and upgrading drains to ensure untreated water does not reach natural water sources. He alleged that the city had failed to make proper use of treated waste water for purposes such as gardening, cleaning public spaces or construction, which are key aspects of sustainability under the Water Plus framework. Gill suggested that industries must adopt zero liquid discharge before the municipal corporation moves ahead with the certification process.Residents also expressed objections to the contents of the public notice. Satinder Singh pointed out that the notice did not mention any e-mail ID or phone number. He claimed that authorities were aware that publishing an e-mail address would invite a large number of objections, whereas very few citizens would have the time or inclination to send written objections by post. He described the exercise as an eyewash aimed at limiting public responses.Another resident, Narinder Singh Masson, said it was ironic that the MC did not have a working email ID or official mobile number for public communication despite having a budget of several crores. He alleged that chlorination at MC borewells was seldom carried out regularly and properly and claimed that drinking water, which is supposed to be germ-free, is being supplied through dilapidated pipelines that are generations old and have never been cleaned, with numerous illegal connections across the city contaminating the supply. Under these conditions, he said, the civic administration should not pursue Water Plus certification at all.MSID:: 130306396 413 |
