Capt Amarinder Orders Special Task Force, With Naamdhari Baba Udai Singh as Patron, To Cleanse Budha Nallah...

Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh, 16th Oct'18: In a major initiative to clean up the drain, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered the constitution of a Special Task Force to free the Budha Nallah of polluting effluents in mission mode. The task force, with Baba Udai Singh of Naamdhari Sect as its patron, will submit its report to the Chief Minister within two months, according to an official spokesperson. Baba Udai Singh, who met the Chief Minister last evening, had accepted the request to act as the patron, said the spokesperson.

The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to constitute the task force, consisting of elected representatives, technocrats and public figures. The task force has been mandated to study and suggest measures to address issues of treating industrial effluents, solid waste management, besides ways to proactively engage with the public at large in this cause. The Chief Minister has also asked the Local Government department to submit a proposal to enhance the existing capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) from the current 516 MLDs to 675 MLDs, besides augmenting the treatment facilities for industrial effluents. 

Captain Amarinder Singh further directed both the Local Bodies and Industries departments to expeditiously complete all the ongoing works being carried out to flush out toxic substances from the Buddha Nallah. He also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources to draw up a detailed plan for a lasting remedy for channeling and beautification of the 14 KMs of length of the Nallah, which flows through the city. Captain Amarinder Singh issued these directives during a meeting with Baba Udai Singh.

Underlining the need to find a lasting solution to the long-standing problem, the Chief Minister said it was time to proactively engage industry representatives and public to complement the government's efforts in providing safe and healthier drinking water to all. The health of the city residents was of paramount concern for the government, he said, adding that the effluents being thrown into the nallah were also adversely impacting the quality of sub-soil water in the region.

Taking part in the deliberations, Baba Udai Singh pledged his full support and cooperation in the government's endeavors towards this noble cause. The Chief Minister assured him of all assistance in accomplishing this gigantic task in a time-bound manner. Principal Secretary Water Resources informed the meeting that at present close to 700 MLDs water was flowing in the Nallah, of which 80% was coming from municipal sewerage with industries contributing around 15%. 

Prominent among others who attended the meeting were Environment Minister O P Soni, Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Member Parliament Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu, MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, Chief Principal Secretary to CM Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Pradeep Aggarwal.