MP visits STPs, takes serious note of non-functional plants

Rajya Sabha MP and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal today conducted a surprise inspection of two treatment plants near the Kala Sanghian Drain in Basti Peer Daad. During the visit, he took serious note of the non-functional treatment plants and discharge of untreated sewage into the drain through broken pipelines.

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Expressing displeasure, Seechewal reprimanded officials for their negligence and immediately informed DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, urging strict action against those responsible. He also sought accountability from officials across all departments. Responding to the matter, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to visit the site and submit a status report within three days.

Seechewal further reviewed the ongoing work to cement the Kala Sanghia Drain, which has been in progress for several months. He expressed disappointment on discovering that sewer lines leading to the treatment plants had been deliberately broken, allowing continuous discharge of untreated sewage into the drain. He instructed officials to expedite the work so that 100 cusecs of water could be released into the drain.

Highlighting his long-standing fight against pollution with public support, Seechewal lamented the persistent negligence of officials.

The Kala Sanghian Drain originates from Bulandpur village, passes through Jalandhar city and merges into the Chitti Bein near Malsian. A project worth crores of rupees is underway to cement a 14-km stretch of the drain in Jalandhar city.

While efforts to clean up the drain have been going on for ages, the continued discharge of industrial and other effluents into the drain continues to pose threats to local residents – also leaving residents of villages on the drain banks susceptible to cancer.

Despite the issue being raised many times by the environmentalist and local residents, the non functional STPs have become a major obstruction in the efforts to render the drain clean.