NGT Orders Report on 'Buddha Nullah' Pollution; Flood Risk in Panjab

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) latest order, prompted by multiple petitions filed by the Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, lays bare gross violations by three Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) that continue to discharge treated effluent into Buddha Nullah (a rivulet in Ludhiana). The NGT has now set a two-month deadline for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to conclude its proceedings and directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to submit a comprehensive report detailing violations, environmental compensation and recovery status. All parties have been directed to file compliance affidavits before the next hearing on 7 Oct. The CETPs—15 MLD, 40 MLD, and 50 MLD capacity—were found in prolonged violation of environmental clearance conditions, including failure to implement Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), lack of consent to operate and unauthorized discharge of effluent. The MoEFCC confirmed that all three units continued to release treated wastewater directly into Buddha Nullah. Despite environmental compensation of USD 115K already imposed, the plants continue to remain operational. The PPCB counsel submitted that a comprehensive remediation plan was being prepared, for which Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar had been taken on board. Meanwhile, PAC has sent an urgent letter to Jal Shakti (Union Water) Ministry and Panjab government, warning that water levels at Bhakra and Pong dams are nearing critical thresholds. PAC is calling for precautionary measures to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to the devastating floods in Panjab in 2023. This flooding was due to operational decisions on release of water, which, in conjunction with heavy inflow in Bhakra and Pong Dam, led to sudden large releases and floods in Panjab. Near Sultanpur Lodhi and Bolath, the Beas River has breached temporary blockades and water has inundated 4K acres in 20 villages. Other parts of Panjab are facing danger of floods as water level in the Ghaggar river nears the danger mark after persistent rain upstream in Himachal Pradesh (earlier coverage).