Punjab urges urgent action against industrial pollution from Himachal Pradesh

Raising urgent concerns over the pollution of Punjab's water bodies due to industrial effluents from Himachal Pradesh (HP), Punjab Education Minister and Anandpur Sahib MLA Harjot Singh Bains has written to HP Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging swift and stringent action to address this environmental and public health crisis.

Bains has also reached out to the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), seeking immediate intervention to protect public health, particularly in his constituency, Anandpur Sahib.

In his communication, he cited test results from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which confirmed that hazardous industrial waste from HP’s industrial zones is flowing into the Swan and Barmala Khad, eventually contaminating the Sutlej River. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he referred to an incident in Barmala Khad, where multiple wild pigs died due to intoxication caused by polluted water. This unchecked contamination is not only deteriorating the Sutlej River but also posing serious health risks to local communities.

In his letter to the Himachal Pradesh CM, Bains referenced PPCB reports and numerous complaints from residents of his constituency, urging personal intervention to stop the discharge of untreated effluents into Punjab's water bodies. He stressed the need for immediate action to curb this environmental hazard.

Expressing deep concerns about preserving ecological balance and ensuring public health in his letter to the NGT Chairperson, Bains called for strict action against industries responsible for pollution. He demanded the immediate closure of those violating pollution norms and urged the NGT to direct HP authorities to implement stringent pollution control measures. Additionally, he requested necessary orders to monitor and remediate the affected water bodies, including the Swan riverbed, Barmala Khad, and the Sutlej River.

In his letter to the CPCB Member Secretary, Bains sought urgent intervention to conduct a thorough inspection of industrial units in the Bathari and Golthai industrial areas of HP. He called for the immediate cessation of untreated industrial discharge into the Swan and Barmala Khad streams and urged strict enforcement of environmental norms, along with punitive action against industries violating pollution regulations. He also emphasized the need for long-term remediation measures to restore water quality in the affected regions.

“The rivers are the lifelines of Punjab, and their contamination poses a severe threat to public health, agriculture, and biodiversity," Bains said, stressing the urgency of taking immediate action to prevent further damage.