DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Raising an alarming and emergent concerns over the pollution of Punjab's water bodies caused by industrial effluents discharged from Himachal Pradesh (HP), Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Anandpur Sahib S. Harjot Singh Bains has shoot letter to HP Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for swift and stringent action to address this environmental and public health issue.

Bains also reached out to the Chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Member Secretary of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to resolve this serious matter at the earliest to safeguard public health in the state particularly in his constituency Anandpur Sahib.

In his communication, he highlighted the results of tests conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which revealed that hazardous industrial waste flowing from HP industrial zones into Swan and Barmala Khad are eventually merging into Sutlej river. He emphasised on the gravity of the situation while quoting the incident in Barmala Khad where multiple wild pigs succumbed to intoxication caused by contaminated water. This unchecked pollution is not only degrading the Sutlej river but also posing severe health hazards to the local population.

In a letter to Himachal Pradesh CM, S. Harjot Singh Bains referenced PPCB reports and numerous complaints from residents of his constituency, seeking personal intervention to halt the discharge of untreated effluents into Punjab's water bodies. He emphasised the need for immediate action to curb this environmental hazard.

Expressing deep concerns over the critical importance of preserving the ecological balance and ensuring the health and safety of Punjab's residents in the letter to NGT Chairperson, S. Harjot Singh Bains demanded an action against the industries responsible for pollution, besides seeking immediate closure of industries violating pollution norms. He also sought NGT's directions to HP authorities regarding implementation of stringent pollution control measures ensuring compliance of environmental regulations. He also demanded for necessary orders to monitor and remediate the affected water bodies, including the Swan riverbed, Barmala Khad and the Sutlej river.

In a letter to Member Secretary CPCB, S. Bains sought urgent intervention to ensure a comprehensive inspection of Industrial units in the Bathari and Golthai industrial areas of HP for immediate cessation of untreated industrial discharge into the Swan and Barmala Khad stream. He requested the CPCB for strict enforcement of environmental norms and punitive action against industries violating pollution control regulations and long term remediation measures to restore water quality in the affected areas.

(editor@dailyworld.in)