Buddha Nullah: Minister, MP meet dairy farmers on cow dung disposal

To find solution to the dumping of cow dung in Buddha Nullah, Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal conducted meetings with dairy farmers at Tajpur Road and Haibowal dairy complexes today.

Ravjot said the Municipal Corporation (MC) had already floated a tender to hire a contractor for door-to-door lifting of cow dung from the dairy units. Until the practice was started, temporary arrangements had been put in place, and the dairy farmers had been urged to dump cow dung at designated sites in their respective dairy complexes, he added.

Dairy farmers agreed to the terms discussed in the meeting and assured the officials they would dump cow dung at designated sites only until a contractor was hired by the MC. The dairy farmers also agreed to pay a fee if arrangements were made for door-to-door lifting of cow dung. Meanwhile, the cabinet minister also listened to the grievances of the dairy farmers and issued directions to officials to resolve these as soon as possible. Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal also inspected an effluent treatment plant (ETP) established to treat dairy waste on Tajpur Road.

Ravjot further directed the authorities concerned to expedite the process of establishing two biogas plants at the Tajpur Road and Haibowal dairy complexes. Officials said one plant was already operational at the Haibowal dairy complex, but due to its low capacity, an additional plant was being established there.

Seechewal appreciated the minister for his concern over the project to clean the Buddha Nullah, stating that the minister has visited the city for this project for the fifth time in a period of around a month.

Ravjot, Seechewal and Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal said the state government was committed to making ‘Rangla Punjab’ a reality. They urged residents to join hands with the government and administration so that combined efforts could be made to save the environment.

Ravjot said the government and administration were not against the dairy farmers, but no one would be allowed to pollute the nullah, which held religious importance. Dumping of cow dung in sewer lines was also affecting the working of sewer treatment plants (STPs) and ETPs, he said.

Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Mayor Inderjit Kaur, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, former MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi’s wife Dr Sukhchain Bassi and son Savraj Bassi, and MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh, among others, were present during the meetings.