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Budha Dariya Cleanup: Public Demands Action, Not Just Panels
2 Nov
Summary
- Activists demand a time-bound plan for Budha Dariya's cleanup.
- Untreated sewage, industrial, and dairy waste continue to pollute the river.
- A comprehensive plan is due before the National Green Tribunal by January 5, 2027.
The Public Action Committee (PAC) has called upon the Punjab government to ensure a newly formed 10-member panel, led by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, delivers tangible outcomes for the Budha Dariya cleanup. Activists stress the need for technical expertise and administrative support to implement recommendations effectively.
For nearly four and a half years, the river has suffered from untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and dairy waste. The PAC insists on uniform enforcement against all pollution sources, including the closure of illegal discharge points and independent audits of treatment plants. They also demand the public release of pending studies on the pollution crisis.
Advocating a holistic approach, the PAC proposes restoring the entire ecosystem, from the Charan Kanwal Drain to the Satluj river and groundwater. They urge authorities to submit a detailed plan to the National Green Tribunal by January 5, 2027.
The PAC suggested a phased plan: identifying pollution sources within 15 days, finalizing a timeline within 30 days, curbing illegal discharges within 90 days, and achieving verified water quality improvements within six months. Success, they emphasize, will be measured by actual water quality improvements.
