Toxic floodwater from Buddha Nullah has submerged many parts of Ludhiana. The polluted water, mixed with untreated industrial waste and sewage, entered Dhoka Mohalla, Dharampura, Shivaji Nagar, Kashmir Nagar, Maharaj Nagar, Kundanpuri, and the Shingar and Chand Cinema areas.
Heavy rainfall overnight triggered the overflow. As a result, the flood exposed Ludhiana’s poor drainage and weak action on environmental rules. Residents woke up to knee-deep black water and a foul stench.
“Our beds, fridge, and chairs are ruined. This happens every heavy rain. However, the government failed to clean Buddha Nullah properly,” said Bobby Juneja of Dhoka Mohalla.
Even the Zone B Municipal Corporation office was submerged. Staff scrambled to save files and equipment with buckets and mops. Consequently, citizens called it a symbol of civic failure.
The Public Action Committee (PAC), representing Kale Pani Da Morcha, wrote to the Deputy Commissioner and Punjab Pollution Control Board. In addition, they warned that reopening dyeing units without clearance would defy National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders.
PAC highlighted the September 1 closure of dyeing units after backflow from the Sutlej and failure of the Bhattian Sewage Treatment Plant. Meanwhile, they stressed that the same toxic water flooding Ludhiana flows downstream to South Punjab and Rajasthan for drinking.
Therefore, NGT directives demand zero liquid discharge from Bahadur Ke, Tajpur Road, and Focal Point plants. Violations could bring fines or jail under the NGT Act.
