A sip of hope: MP claims Buddha Dariya recovering

Ludhiana: In a significant environmental milestone three days before Baisakhi, Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal claimed that clean water has reached the Ludhiana city boundary at Sangat Ghat. Leading a campaign against water pollution, Seechewal demonstrated the progress by drinking a handful of water from the river, noting a TDS level of 202. He asserted that the water at this location is now clean enough for bathing, marking a major gift to the people of Punjab after two years of voluntary service (kar seva) aimed at restoring the once-polluted drain into a green water body.Addressing residents, Seechewal urged the public to treat the river as their own heritage and take responsibility for its upkeep. The restoration has revived cultural activity, with a Baisakhi fair—featuring devotional kirtan and poetry—held at Sangat Ghat near the Central Jail for the first time. This follows the bhog of Sri Akhand Path at Gurdwara Gau Ghat, a site of historical significance where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited in 1515 AD. Legend states Guru Sahib blessed the city, causing the Sutlej to shift and flow as the ‘Buddha' Dariya. Seechewal emphasized that the name itself is a blessing, and the river continues to flow by divine grace.Persistent ChallengesDespite the arrival of clean water, Seechewal highlighted that critical challenges remain. Currently, four treatment plants continue to discharge water into the Dariya, which he noted should not occur legally. He observed that while 27 tippers now lift dung daily to prevent over 500 tonnes of waste from the Tajpur and Haibowal dairy complexes from entering the stream, roughly 100 tonnes and waste from 79 rural dairies still require vigilance. He expressed hope that two upcoming Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants will further enhance water quality.The environmentalist pointed out that treatment plants with capacities of 15, 40, 50, and 250 MLD still fail to meet required standards. He suggested that if dairy owners voluntarily install meters and practice responsible water usage, the river's condition would improve significantly. As the restoration continues, Seechewal remains optimistic that the clean flow currently at Sangat Ghat will soon reach Walipur Kalan, completing the river's transformation.
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