Campaigns failed to address Buddha Nullah pollution issue: Dyeing units

Members of Ludhiana’s dyeing and electroplating industries have criticised campaigns such as the Kale Pani da Morcha and other similar initiatives, claiming they have failed to address the core issue of contamination in the Buddha Nullah.

They argue that these programmes have offered no practical solutions to improve the condition of the nullah and a more focused approach is needed. The industrialists emphasised that resolving the pollution problem is possible, provided the state government takes a proactive role and engages in meaningful discussions with the industry.

Ajit Lakra, president of the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Head of the Textile Division at FICO, revealed that a few industry representatives had met with environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Their aim was to discuss viable solutions to the ongoing pollution issues, but the efforts yielded no significant results.

“The industry is not united in addressing this critical issue,” said Lakra. “Many stakeholders are working individually, wasting time and resources, instead of tackling the real challenges together.” He explained that as responsible members of the industrial community, they have implemented the latest technologies to minimise pollution. However, groups like the Kala Pani Morcha and certain NGOs continue to raise concerns without understanding the ground realities, which the industry believes is hindering real progress.

The city of Ludhiana generates approximately 1,700 MLD of wastewater, but the existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) can only process 703 MLD. Of this, only 105 MLD from the dyeing industry is treated through Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), while a significant portion of domestic waste and unauthorised industrial discharge goes untreated.

The industrial stakeholders stressed the need to focus on identifying the root causes of the pollution and implementing long-term solutions.