Prakash Singh Badal seeks Haryana, HP CMs help to keep river clean

CHANDIGARH: Expressing concern over pollution in Ghaggar river in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought help from his Haryana and Himachal Pradesh counterparts to take steps to prevent discharge of effluents from their states into the river.

"Badal sought personal intervention of Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and HP CM Virbhadra Singh for taking effective steps to prevent reckless discharge of untreated domestic waste water and industrial effluents into drains, which ultimately join Ghaggar river in Punjab," a spokesperson said.

Presiding over a meeting of the senior officers of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Badal stressed on the need to resolve the inter-state environmental issue with a broad perspective.

He was apprised that the state board had surveyed the Ghaggar river along with catchment area.

Starting from Nadha Sahib Gurdwara (Panchkula district) in Haryana, the river enters into Punjab near Mubarkpur village, where the colour of water was found changing.

Further downstream, industrial and domestic waste water of Ambala, Shahbad Markanda and many villages in Haryana, located in the catchment area of Ghaggar river, was discharged into Ghaggar directly or through some storm water drains.

The colour of the water changes to blackish-brown downstream of confluence point of Sagarpara drain near Khanuri, Sangrur district.

In addition, the waste water of Jakhal and Ratia of Haryana was also discharged into the river, the board said.