SAD calls upon PPCB to immediately stop discharge of untreated sewage into the Sirhind canal

SAD calls upon PPCB to immediately stop discharge of untreated sewage into the Sirhind canal

(Dr Daljit S Cheema calls for inspection of the Rupnagar municipal sewage system, STP, outlets and illegal discharge points besides taking action against persons responsible for the same)

Chandigarh 31 August ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today represented the Punjab Pollution Control Board to immediately stop the discharge of untreated sewage into the Sirhind canal. In a representation to the PPCB, senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema also called for an immediate inspection of the Rupnagar Municipal Council sewage system, STPs, outlets and illegal discharge points. He also called for determining the persons responsible for causing or permitting the illegal pollution and initiating appropriate statutory proceedings wherever violations were established.

The representation also called for assessing the environmental damage and imposing environmental compensation wherever legally warranted. It also called for directing the concerned authorities to undertake necessary remedial and restoration measures and ensuring adequate treatment of municipal sewage before any discharge. Giving further details, Dr Cheema said it was a matter of serious environmental concern that untreated sewage and contaminated wastewater generated within the jurisdiction of Municipal Council, Rupnagar was being discharged into the Sirhind Canal. He said this was being done despite the fact that the canal water was used for drinking water supply as well as irrigation purposes. “If verified, such discharge represents a serious threat to public health, aquatic ecology, agriculture and the quality of the State's water resources”, the representation asserted.

The SAD leader said the seriousness of the matter was enhanced by the possibility that the illegal discharge might be continuing on a regular basis. “Accordingly, an ordinary administrative inquiry after substantial delay may not adequately protect the affected water resource. Immediate inspection, sampling and preventive action are therefore necessary.” Dr Cheema said there was every possibility that the discharge could contain sewage, organic pollutants, suspended solids, pathogens, nutrients and other contaminants. He also mentioned that it was the responsibility of the municipal authorities to ensure that sewage generated within their jurisdiction was properly collected, treated and disposed of without causing pollution of natural or man-made water resources.

Asserting that the illegal discharge attracted provisions of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (“Water Act”), Dr Cheema said in case it was established that untreated sewage was being discharged into the Sirhind Canal without the requisite consent or in violation of the conditions of consent, the responsible authority/persons must be proceeded against in accordance with the Water Act. The protection of the Sirhind Canal was a matter of public interest extending beyond the jurisdiction of any single municipal authority. “Any established discharge of untreated municipal sewage into a canal used for irrigation or drinking-water purposes had the potential to cause widespread environmental and public-health consequences” Dr Cheema added.