Thaindian News

Jalandhar, May 19 (IANS) Supported by tens of hundreds of people, eco-warrior Balbir Singh Seechewal Wednesday plugged a drain with sandbags to prevent untreated municipal waste and industrial pollutants from flowing into Satluj river.

Seechewal, who is already known for cleaning polluted rivers in this area, had given a 25-day ultimatum to the district administration to take immediate action to stop the discharge of polluted water into Kala Sanghian drain that flows into Satluj river.

However, on seeing no action, Seechewal and his supporters, from Punjab and Haryana, themselves made a makeshift dam Wednesday afternoon, by placing the sand bags and successfully blocked the Kala Sanghian drain.

“Lakhs of people residing in Punjab and Rajasthan drink this contaminated water and government is least bothered about it. These industrial units have a strong lobby and nobody wants to displease them. We had given the ultimatum on April 24 and no action has been taken so far,” said Seechewal.

“Nearly 15 outlets of untreated polluted water are discharged into this drain. Now we will clean this drain on our own and plant trees on its both sides. We would remove the temporary dam once the cleansing work is over,” he added.

Seechewal, who is also a member of the Punjab State Pollution Board (PPCB), has a dera (sect) at Sultanpur Lodhi near Jalandhar. He was also featured among the list of ‘heroes of the environment’ by the Time magazine.

Jalandhar administration also convened an emergency meeting to discuss this matter late Wednesday.

However, Jalandhar divisional commissioner S.R. Ladhar reached the spot and tried to convince Seechewal and his supporters to not to build the dam. But all last minute efforts of the administration went in vain.

“We also support this cause. We have already asked the industry and Municipal Corporation to stop throwing untreated water in the drain. We are already working in this direction and we want people to keep patience for some more days,” said Ladhar.