MC to stop dairy complexes from dumping dung in Buddha Dariya

Ludhiana: The civic body is going to serve notices to owners of dairy complexes in Haibowal and Tajpur Road, directing them to dispose of cow dung generated in their units at their own level to prevent pollution of Buddha Dariya. During a meeting held at the MC Zone D office, it was decided that dairy owners would be given two days to reply to the notices, failing which action would be taken against them.Such action could be recommendation of disconnection of their electricity connections and imposition of environment compensation through Powercom and PPCB.
MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal has formed joint teams of the MC, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for the drive. According to MC officials, there are around 350 dairy units in Haibowal and 200 on Tajpur Road. A few scattered dairy units also function within residential areas but these will be dealt with later. The MC commissioner said that the joint teams have been directed to take strict action against violators and also keep a check on the dyeing industry.
He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone caught dumping untreated waste into MC sewer lines. According to him, officials have been directed to make public announcements at dairy complexes of Haibowal and Tajpur road. Fresh notices are being served and strict action will be taken against violators caught dumping cow dung in the nullah. With this, dairy farmers will have to connect their sewer connections with ETPs so that waste water from their units goes directly to ETPs for treatment. They will also have to make arrangements to prevent cow dung from being discharged into Buddha Dariya.
Civic officials had started issuing challans to dairy farmers last year as well but the drive was discontinued after the intervention of the ruling party MLA. He had allegedly asked officials to stay silent on the issue or face action.
The MC is going to recommend shifting of electroplating and scattered dyeing units outside city limits, probably to Dhanansu and separate arrangements for CETPs for them. Civic officials will take up the issue through the local bodies department. An official claimed that during sampling done recently, chemicals, said to be from electroplating units, were found in Buddha Dariya.