Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
MP Sant Seechewal raises alarm over rising river pollution, calls for action
Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal
Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), April 2, 2025 – Environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Padma Shri Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal voiced grave concerns over escalating river pollution during a parliamentary session today.
Highlighting the dire state of India’s rivers, he urged immediate intervention and discussed solutions to restore their purity.
Sant Seechewal lamented that, even 75 years after independence, not a single river remains untouched by toxic waste from villages, cities, and factories.He criticized the Central and State Pollution Control Boards for failing in their duties, calling them “mere white elephants.”
He pointed out that the 1974 Water Act, originally designed to prevent pollution with strict penalties, has been weakened over time, with punitive provisions now removed. This, he argued, has emboldened polluters and deeply disappointed environmental advocates.
Three Major Polluters and the Failing Authorities
Sant Seechewal identified three primary sources of river contamination:
- Waste from villages and cities
- Toxic chemicals from industries
- Hazardous wastewater discharge
Likewise, he emphasized that three key bodies are responsible for curbing pollution:
- Municipal Corporations
- Drainage Departments
- Pollution Control Boards
However, he stated that these authorities are failing to enforce regulations effectively.
A Call for Stronger Laws and Public Participation
Despite the dilution of legal provisions, Sant Seechewal reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against river pollution. He demanded that clean water, air, and food be recognized as fundamental rights and urged the strengthening and strict implementation of the 1974 Water Act.
He cited the cleaning of the Beas River near Sultanpur Lodhi as a successful model, achieved through public participation and the Seechewal Model of wastewater treatment. Even former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam visited Sultanpur Lodhi twice to witness these efforts firsthand.
The Unfinished Mission: Cleaning the Ganges
Sant Seechewal also questioned the inefficacy of the Ganga Action Plan, which has consumed thousands of crores since 1985, yet failed to clean the 2,525 km-long river. He stressed that no amount of funding will succeed unless there is a solid mechanism to prevent pollution at the source and greater public involvement.
He urged authorities to adopt the Seechewal Model nationwide, emphasizing that only community-driven efforts can restore India's sacred rivers to their former purity.