‘Contempt of NGT orders’ if dyeing clusters in Ludhiana reopened, PAC cautions authorities
The PAC pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner had ordered the closure of dyeing clusters on September 1 due to backflow of Sutlej waters and failure of the Bhattian STP.
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In 1988, it breached the 754 ft-mark, devastating Khanauri and Moonak. In 1993, it touched 752 ft, submerging vast areas of farmland. (File)The Public Action Committee (PAC), on behalf of Kale Pani Da Morcha, has written to the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner and Member Secretary of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), warning that reopening dyeing clusters without complying with the Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions would amount to contempt of National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders.
The PAC pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner had ordered the closure of dyeing clusters on September 1 due to backflow of Sutlej waters and failure of the Bhattian STP. “The same toxic water, which is flooding homes in Ludhiana, is also used downstream in South Punjab and Rajasthan for drinking. This shows how serious the issue is,” the PAC stated.
The PAC letters remind the authorities that the NGT, in its order dated 09.12.2024 (Appeal No. 48/2024 and connected matters), already passed the binding directions: Bahadur Ke CETP (15 MLD): bound by EC requiring Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), Tajpur Road CETP (50 MLD) and Focal Point CETP (40 MLD): bound by EC conditions of no discharge into Buddha Nullah.
The PAC cautioned that “any attempt to reopen these clusters and allow effluent discharge into Buddha Nullah would be direct contempt of the Tribunal’s binding orders, exposing responsible officers to penalties under the NGT Act, 2010, including fine and imprisonment”.
In its communication to the PPCB, the PAC also underlined that “it is not enough to simply withhold permissions, as dyeing units have a history of resuming without clearance. PPCB must actively ensure on the ground that clusters are not able to restart operations until full compliance with the EC conditions is demonstrated”.
“The people of Ludhiana are already suffering ‘saza-e-kaala paani’. Authorities cannot defy the NGT and push the city and downstream regions into further poisoning,” the PAC added.
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