Ludhiana: In a bid to find a lasting solution to pollution in the Buddha Dariya, the Punjab govt has decided to bring officials, industrial representatives and other stakeholders together under a committee headed by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal.The nine-to-ten-member committee has been constituted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following a meeting with senior officials of various departments, representatives of dairy owners from Tajpur Road and Hambran Road, and other industry stakeholders.The panel has been given 15 days to examine the pollution problem and recommend concrete measures to prevent the discharge of untreated waste into the water body. The chief minister has directed the secretary, local govt, and other concerned officials to coordinate with the committee and prepare a comprehensive action plan.The govt has also called for strict enforcement of pollution-control norms, directing authorities to take action against those found violating prescribed regulations.Deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain said the chief minister had asked the departments concerned to identify practical solutions and submit a detailed report within the stipulated 15-day period.Seechewal said the committee would hold regular meetings to examine various sources of pollution and work towards finalising a concrete action plan. The exercise would involve all stakeholders to identify gaps in the existing system and suggest measures to address them.The focus is expected to be on improving waste management, ensuring proper treatment of dairy effluents, checking industrial discharge, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent untreated waste from entering the Buddha Dariya.
