Effluent discharge into Buddha Nullah: NGT flags violations, directs authorities concerned to file compliance affidavits before October 7

Ludhiana’s long-standing struggle with industrial pollution has reached a critical juncture. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has delivered a sharp rebuke to the city’s dyeing industry, citing “years of unchecked pollution and institutional failure” by common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) tasked with managing toxic waste.

The NGT’s latest order, prompted by multiple petitions filed by the Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, lays bare gross violations by three CETPs that continue to discharge treated effluent into Buddha Nullah — a stream already burdened with domestic and industrial waste and directly linked to the Sutlej, a vital source of drinking water.

The NGT has now set a two-month deadline for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to conclude its proceedings and directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to submit a comprehensive report detailing violations, environmental compensation and recovery status. All parties have been directed to file compliance affidavits before the next hearing on October 7.

The CETPs — 15 MLD, 40 MLD and 50 MLD capacity — were found in prolonged violation of environmental clearance conditions, including failure to implement Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), lack of consent to operate and unauthorised discharge of effluent. The MoEF&CC confirmed that all three units continued to release treated wastewater directly into Buddha Nullah. Despite environmental compensation of Rs 10 crore already imposed, the plants continue to remain operational.

Bobby Jindal, chief of the Punjab Dyers Association, acknowledged partial compliance. “There are nearly 300 dyeing units in Ludhiana and around 20 norms need to be followed by the CETPs. Generally, 17–19 guidelines are fulfilled, but all 20 are not met,” he said.

He also pointed to critical infrastructure failure. “The original plan was to discharge treated effluent into Lower Buddha Nullah, 22 km away and stretches till Moga, but the channel was never built. As a result, the waste continues to flow into Buddha Nullah.”

Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora, who took charge recently, said resolving the issue was his top priority. “An action plan for constructing the channel is ready. It will soon be submitted to the government for approval,” he said, signalling a shift toward proactive intervention.

Meanwhile, the MoEF&CC audit revealed deeper systemic gaps — lack of online monitoring, no MoUs with member industries, unauthorised hazardous waste generation, and absence of compliance reporting.

PPCB Chief Engineer Raj Kumar Ratra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

PAC member Kapil Arora called the NGT’s order a turning point. “It confirms years of administrative failure and the power of citizen-led action in demanding accountability,” he said.