Shocked at pictures of Sidhwan canal that revealed bio-medical waste being dumped into the canal, the Chief Justice held that the conditions prevailing there are simply atrocious. The Deputy Commissioner; Municipal Commissioner (MC), Ludhiana, and the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the canal, who were present in the Court as per the directions of the Chief Justice, received a dressing down for indulging in blame game.

The Chief Justice also directed the authorities to submit a status report by February 18, stating how much funds are available with them in order to clean up the Buddha Nallah and Sidhwan canal. The committee will be chaired by a Secretary-rank officer. The Chief Justice also directed the Chief Secretary of the Punjab State to appoint an officer to ensure smooth functioning of the committee.

The directions were passed in wake of certain photographs produced on record by the P Ram committee, highlighting the sorry state of affairs of Sidhwan canal which is a source of irrigation for a number of villages in Punjab. The photographs attached clearly show bio-medical waste, solid waste, polythene bags and religious offerings strewn across Sidhwan canal.

The P Ram Committee, in its latest report, had pointed out that solid waste was still being dumped into the Nallah especially at the bridge crossings, and no enforcement mechanism was seen in place.

Taking note of this, the Chief Justice had summoned the Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner (MC), Ludhiana; Member, Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB); Managing Director of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board; Chief Town Planner, Punjab; District Town Planner, Ludhiana; to remain present in the Court on the next date of hearing.

In a recent letter, the P Ram Committee had written to the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana with the suggestion that, “The Chief Secretary directed that Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner play a proactive role in the demarcation of land and removal of encroachments and making these areas greener. He should hold fortnightly meetings with Drainage Department, Municipal Corporation and PPCB. He should also tackle the problem of haphazard growth in the periphery of Ludhiana and disposal of solid waste into Sidhwan Canal.”