Depts fail to check discharge of untreated water into Jacob drain in Patiala

Patiala, July 21

Government departments have failed to check the release of untreated wastewater into the Jacob drain. At a recent meeting, the District Environment Committee directed officials of the Drainage Department and others to ensure that no discharge went directly or indirectly into the Ghaggar river.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the ADC (D), Patiala.

The committee said all stakeholders, including the Municipal Corporation and the Drainage Department, were to identify outfalls and ensure that no untreated discharge went directly or indirectly into the Ghaggar. Untreated waste disposal into the Jacob drain was rampant, which had affected villages and colonies alongside it. The officials of the Drainage Department were directed to prepare an action-taken report in this regard.

Meanwhile, the XEN, Drainage, Ramandeep Singh Bains, said the department had a functional STP at Shermajra village. “There are no untapped waste water discharge into the Jacob drain within our jurisdiction. The remaining areas are to be looked into by the respective departments. We have submitted a report regarding the matter to the office of Deputy Commissioner,” he said.

Meanwhile, unchecked discharge of waste water into the Jacob drain is seen at many points when it passes through Patiala city. Residents of area alongside the drain adjacent to Government Mohindra College, behind the residence of former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, and near Sullar and Main villages have to bear with foul smell during the late evening hours when untreated water is discharged into it. The city’s waste water pipeline connected to the STP at Main village has been laid parallel to the drain. Whenever the pipeline gets damaged due to one reason or another, untreated water finds way into the water body.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aaditya Uppal said he had held a meeting with the XENs of the departments concerned and directed them to plug all discharge points. “They were transferred recently. I will direct the new appointees to work on the matter as top priority,” he added.

The committee, meanwhile, directed the MC and the nagar panchayats to complete the proposed STPs within the stipulated time.