Upper Bari Doab Canal turns into a dump yard

Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, March 9

Though the state government has recently inaugurated the canal-based water supply project for the city dwellers, the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC), which is the source of water, has turned into a dump yard. The canal is dried due to which heaps of garbage on surface are more visible.

Moreover, a large number of ragpickers now segregate the valuables from the waste. The commuters on canal road are forced to take in the stink every time they pass by it.

The Municipal Corporation (MC) in collaboration with Dera Kar Sewa Buri Wale constructed the green paths alongside it for morning and evening walkers but it remains empty – thanks to the mix of different miasmas suffused in the air.

Ironically, a large number of residents can be seen dumping puja material in the stagnant water near the Taranwala Pul. Not only that, the residents also dumped plastic bags, sacks and packing material into the canal.

The famous pakora seller on the bank is upset with the attitude of public. “People threw ideals of gods and goddesses, painting of religious personalities, posters and photos of cult heads and other religious material. It is not good for anyone. Whenever we asked someone to not litter the canal, people’s reaction is noteworthy,” said the worker of stall.

The same water also supplies to sarovars at Darbar Sahib, Gurdwara Santoksar and three other gurdwaras. The MC has failed to curb the practice of throwing garbage. An iron grill has been installed on the Taranwala Pul to refrain the public from doing so.

“Earlier, people used to throw the material by removing the plastic bag or sack. But after installation of grill people threw the material along with the bag,” said Kuldeep, a resident of Sultanwind. The residents demanded de-silting of surface of canal and some foolproof arrangements to curb this practice.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Komal Mittal has recently installed a warning board on Taranwala Pul to punish the violators. The warning board reads ‘dumping garlands, hawan samagri, coconuts, religious photos, calendars, junk or any kind of garbage in canal and its surroundings is prohibited. The action would be taken under Section 323 of the Municipal Act 1976. The culprit would be penalised or sentenced to jail or both’.

However, no action has been taken against any violator till date.