Ludhiana activist writes to CM, seeks steps to curb pollution in Sirhind Canal

With the World Bank-funded surface drinking water project set to be completed in 2028, environmentalist Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd) has urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to take immediate steps to prevent pollution of the Sirhind Canal — the city’s only source of surface drinking water.

In a letter to the CM, Gill pointed out that large investments were being made to improve the canal and provide safe drinking water to residents, but untreated and treated sewage from several towns and villages continued to enter the Sirhind Canal, posing a serious threat to water quality.

Gill claimed sewage from villages and towns located between Ropar and Neelon, including Chamkaur Sahib, was being discharged into the Sirhind Canal through eight chutes on the canal’s left bank. He said the pollution needed to be stopped before the new drinking water project became operational.

According to him, the original plan prepared during the construction of the Neelon-Ropar road included a lined catchment drain along the road. The drain was meant to collect sewage, storm water and surface runoff from nearby areas, and divert it across the canal into the Sutlej through existing siphons and cross-drainage structures.

However, Gill alleged that despite the preparation of drawings, the catchment drain was never constructed, allowing wastewater to flow into the canal.

Construct catchment drain, block sewage entry

Gill suggested that the state government should construct the catchment drain, as per the original design, and block the discharge points that were polluting the canal.

He pointed out that the Punjab Water Resources Department had received around Rs 43 crore under the World Bank-funded project for canal lining and improvement works. He said the scope of the project should include measures to prevent sewage from entering the canal so that it continues to serve as a reliable source of drinking water.

The environmentalist also proposed setting up two or three common sewage treatment plants (STPs), based on the geographical requirements of the area. After treatment, the wastewater could be diverted across or below the canal and discharged into the Sutlej, instead of entering the canal, he suggested.

Move will benefit several districts

Gill said preventing pollution of the Sirhind Canal would not only safeguard Ludhiana’s future surface drinking water supply; it will also improve water quality for several other districts where canal water is used for drinking and other purposes.

He said the canal supplies water to parts Patiala, Bathinda and Abohar, making its protection a matter of wider public interest.

World Bank-funded initiative reviewed

The Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) for the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)-funded Ludhiana Surface Water Supply Scheme conducted its third visit to review the works.

The board officials conducted a two-day review focussed on strengthening project coordination, contract management and timely execution.

Mayor Inderjit Kaur also chaired a meeting with the members of the board and held detailed discussions about the project.

On the first day, the board conducted detailed site inspections at the 580 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant at Bilga village, key transmission pipeline corridors and several overhead service reservoir construction sites.

On the second day, a comprehensive review meeting was held with officials of the Municipal Corporation, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), consultants and representatives of the executing agency. Discussions were focussed on improving coordination between the employer and the contractor, ensuring effective contract administration, strengthening documentation practices and maintaining strict compliance with contractual obligations.

Officials on the board emphasised the need for regular progress review meetings, timely decision-making and systematic record management to facilitate smooth implementation.