Waste disposal plant lies defunct

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 9

Thousands of residents living around the most polluted pond of the district between Sanguana and Amarpura Basti are waiting the functioning of the sewage disposal plant for the past many years.

Due to the mismanagement by the Municipal Corporation, sewage water of Lal Singh Basti, Sanguana Basti, Amarpura Basti, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dhillon Basti, Dashmesh Nagar, Birbal Basti and Multania Road is released into the pond.

The process of releasing water into the pond has created nuisance for the area residents who complain of unbearable stink emanating from the pond.

“Apart from the residential area, there is a school in which more than 300 children study, who, too, are affected by the smell,” said former municipal councilor Rajinder Singh.

He said despite spending over Rs 2 crore on the plant and an equal amount on laying pipes, nothing had been achieved.

XEN (sewerage board) Ashwini Kumar said the laying of sewage pipes under a railway line was yet to be completed as a tender in this regard had been floated and the work was likely to be finished before March 31.

Meanwhile, Chhote Lal, a resident of the area, said the project was to be completed in May this year but the deadline was extended and there was no respite from the smell emanating from the pond.

Suraj Bhan said the schoolchildren, elderly and motorists were the worst hit as they can fall into the pond.

Since the area is close to the railway station, passenger trains halt near the site, causing inconvenience to the passengers.