GNDTP's closure takes toll on Bathinda's lakes

Strap: NDRF personnel blame dirty water for skin allergies

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 23

Three lakes in the city are bearing the brunt of the closure of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant here, as the water is no longer being used to generate electricity. As a result, water recycling is not happening and the water is getting dirtier with each passing day. Besides, the water level has receded up to 15 feet in the recent past.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who train in the lake water and carry out rescue operations, have complained of skin diseases.

Talking toThe Tribune, Commandant Ravi Kumar Pandita of the 7th battalion of NDRF, said, “Since the lake water could not recycled on account of closure of the thermal plant, it is getting dirtier. In the long run, it will pose serious risk to our personnel. The training sessions which usually start in April and continue till October every year can’t be organised partly due to the Covid-19 spread and party owing to the unclean water. Apart from training, our personnel also carry out rescue operations by fishing out persons who jump in canal water and lakes here.”

Pandita added, “If this continues, the lakes will lose their charm. We request the authorities concerned to intervene and provide a solution on priority.”

One of the divers said, “We are developing skin allergies because of the contaminated water in the lakes. Besides non-recycling of lake water, people living in ‘jhuggis’ nearby also pollute the water by washing clothes in it and using it for toilet purpose. The local administration or the government must come up with a comprehensive plan to ensure that lake water remains clean.”

A senior retired officer of the Bathinda thermal plant, requesting anonymity, said, “Once touted as the ‘city of lakes’, Bathinda is gradually growing indifferent to preserve its old glory, as thermal lakes that once added a unique aesthetic appeal to the city are falling prey to the apathy of officialdom. Not only are the lakes getting contaminated, but their water levels are also receding drastically.”

Devinder Pal Garg, Chief Engineer, Bathinda and Lehra thermal plants, said, “The problems are bound to arise as the water is not getting recycled. The thermal land has been transferred to PUDA, and we will bring the matter to their notice in writing and request them to come up with a solution. We can reach a solution and for that all we need are heavy outlet water pipes to release the lake water in a canal to maintain the water levels.”