Authorities Accused of Ignoring Illegal Dumping in Sutlej River and Sidhwan Canal

As Ludhiana prepares for the upcoming Chhath Puja celebrations, the city's waterways continue to be choked by heaps of garbage and religious waste. Environmental volunteers have alleged that the district administration has turned a blind eye to the open dumping of materials such as idols, chunnis, and plastic offerings along the banks of the Sutlej river and Sidhwan Canal.

Despite several representations made to the deputy commissioners, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, and the irrigation department, no concrete action has been taken to address the growing pollution. Manjeet Singh, founder of the Punjab Water Warriors Team, says the situation has worsened, with no challan issued by the authorities against those responsible for the waste dumping.

Environmentalists warn that the unchecked pollution is severely damaging aquatic life and reducing the water quality, which flows downstream to other areas. They have also criticized the authorities for failing to implement the National Green Tribunal's directives on waste management under the Buddha Nullah and Sutlej Action Plan.

As the Chhath Puja festival approaches, when thousands of devotees are expected to gather at the Sutlej bridge, the volunteers have urged the administration to strictly enforce the ban on waste dumping and prevent further damage to the river's ecosystem.