Delegation meets Jal Shakti minister on Buddha Dariya river pollution

A joint delegation of Rajasthan and Punjab environmental activists accompanied by AAP MLA Kultar Singh met Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in connection with the Buddha Dariya pollution. The delegation submitted a memorandum to Shekhawat and requested to defer the tender regarding Buddha Dariya.

New Delhi: A joint delegation of Rajasthan and Punjab environment activists accompanied by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Kultar Singh met Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday in connection with the pollution problem of Buddha Dariya.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to Shekhawat and requested to defer the tender regarding Buddha Dariya.

Buddha Dariya is a seasonal water stream which runs from Punjab through Ludhiana and it drains into the river Satluj. Administrative negligence prompting continuous dumping of Industrial waste into the water body which increases the water pollution level and made the water poisonous.

While speaking to ETV Bharat, Rajasthan environment activist Ramzan Ali who was among them in the delegation said, "Polluted water of Buddha Dariya has an impact on 8 districts of Rajasthan as it is the source of drinking water for those respective areas. The polluted water causes health issues for people in different parts of Rajasthan as well as Punjab."

To deal with the pollution of Buddha Dariya, the Centre has floated tender of rupees 650 crores.

Responding to ETV Bharat, AAP MLA Kultar Singh said, "The state (Punjab) is thankful for the Budget allocation to reduce the pollution of Buddha Dariya. Though, it will be better if the detail report of the project would be public. Even if required then changes may take place to make the project more effective, but the Centre has kept the project details secret."

Environment activist Gurpreet Singh Chand Baja said that there are flaws in the design of the plan. Besides, the current tender allows 20% of wastewater from Industries to mix with domestic sewage, but officials pointed out that this mixing of direct waste is the root cause of pollution. There is a need for the waste management programme. If the Centre is investing then they should think about waste management programmes as well".

Meanwhile, to rejuvenate the water of Buddha Dariya proper planning is the need of the hour besides investing money, she added.