Stagnant water at pollution board office pond raises a stink

It is a classic case of the nearer the church,the farther from God. Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been caught on the wrong foot when it comes to adopt what it preaches to check pollution.

Full of filth and stagnant water,the non-functional fountain pond located inside the PPCB headquarters in Patiala presents a picture in intriguing contrast to a slew of latest drives initiated by PPCB Chairman Kahan Singh Pannu.

With a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes,the pond not only poses serious health hazard to the PPCB employees,but also to those who live in the nearby areas.

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A visit by The Indian Express team to the PPCB headquarters recently revealed how indifferent PPCB was towards the prevailing state of affairs. It was last cleaned during the winters last year, said a PPCB employee.

Are the fountains running or not?, asked Pannu,who sits in the same office,when questioned over phone about the issue. I think the fountains are not functional. I will get the pond cleaned. Aapna ghar taan saaf hona chahida hai (Own house should be always clean), he added.

When contacted,Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr V S Mohi,said: The stagnant water is an open invitation for mosquitoes to breed. It poses a serious health hazard like malaria. I will ask the PPCB to get things in order and clean the pond. I am sending an anti-larvae team to do fogging in PPCB immediately.

On Tuesday,however,when The Indian Express visited the board office,the pond was found drained out.

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