This is an archive article published on November 10, 2024
Anger mounts in Rajasthan district over pollution in river Sutlej, local leaders say Punjab’s industries to blame
Several markets around Sri Ganganagar district shut down in protest, called by farmer leaders with support of political parties
Written by Parul Kulshrestha
Jaipur | November 10, 2024 07:30 AM IST
3 min read
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Rupinder Singh, an MLA from Karanpur in Sri Ganganagar district, claimed no action has been taken by the Punjab government despite petitions being filed against it in the National Green Tribunal. He also claimed to have flagged the problem at the state assembly.
(Wikipedia)
Several markets around Sri Ganganagar district remained closed Saturday as local residents held protests against alleged pollution in the river Sutlej, which they blame on factories in the neighbouring Punjab.
The town of Sri Ganganagar – the district headquarters where protests were held – is on the banks of the river.
Saturday’s shutdown was called by farmer leaders with support of political parties in the area. Till 2 pm, 11 out of 18 Krishi Mandis were shut, with protesters marching through various city markets and eventually holding a demonstration at Gandhi Circle. Markets and schools also remained closed in the towns of Sri Karanpur, Padampur and Gajsinghpur.
Rawinder Singh, an organiser of the protest, claimed that Buddha Nala, a seasonal water stream that originates in Punjab’s Malwa region and passes through the industrial city of Ludhiana before it finally drains into the Sutlej, carries industrial effluents from the city’s chemical, cloth, and leather factories.
“The Punjab government has opened various STP plants to treat the chemical water but the impact has not been seen,” he claimed, adding that the water causes several health issues.
Sri Ganganagar District Collector Manju admitted to having received complaints about the presence of heavy metals in the water but claims that lab tests have not been able to establish this.
“We are keeping an eye on the issue and listening to the people,” she said. “We hope the state government will find a solution.”
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Rupinder Singh, an MLA from Karanpur in Sri Ganganagar district, claimed no action has been taken by the Punjab government despite petitions being filed against it in the National Green Tribunal. He also claimed to have flagged the problem at the state assembly.
The National Green Tribunal had imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Punjab government in 2018 for “uncontrolled industrial discharge” into Sutlej and Beas. The tribunal once again pulled up the state in 2021, ordering it, as well as Rajasthan, to submit quarterly compliance reports to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) about the measures taken to curb the inflow of effluent discharge into the two rivers.
“This issue is more than 20 years old and we want a solution now,” the MLA told The Indian Express.
Calls and text messages to Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman Adarsh Pal for a response went unanswered.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
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