Ludhiana: Garbage dump polluting Buddha Nullah awaits removal

Despite spending lakhs of rupees on cleaning of Buddha Nullah every year, the municipal corporation (MC) has failed to shift a dump from the bank of the drain in Salem Tabri near railway bridge. The garbage is thrown directly into the nullah from this dump that is worsening the situation.

Though the MC authorities have failed to block all the points from where the sewage and industrial waste is being thrown illegally into the nullah, it has not taken any step to shift this dump.

It has been learnt that the MC had spent around Rs 65 lakh for cleaning of this drain before rainy season last year. This year too, according to sources, the department is spending around Rs 70 lakh for the same purpose.

A resident of Salem Tabri, Sanjeev Kumar, said that the dump is creating nuisance for commuters too but the authorities concerned have failed to shift this dump from where the garbage is thrown into Buddha Nullah, which is already very much polluted. Polythene and other solid wastes also block the flow of water in the nullah due to which it over flows during rains, he added.

"The MC is getting cleaned the nullah for long but garbage is still being thrown there. Why to spend a hefty money if the authorities are not serious to shift this dump,"said Sunny, a commuter.

It is worth mentioning here that the MC had announced to charge fine of Rs 5,000 if anyone is found littering the nullah. However, the MC failed to implement these directions as there is a no check on throwing of garbage into the nullah.

An official of the operation and maintenance wing of the MC said that the machines were installed at different places to clean Buddha Nullah before the arrival of the rainy season. Sources said that crores of rupees have been spent on the cleaning of Buddha Nullah but it is more polluted than earlier.

When contacted, MC joint commissioner Amarjeet Singh Sekhon said, "We will take necessary steps and shift the dump to other place in few days."