Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab reports major progress in Buddha Dariya rejuvenation
90 % action plan implemented, pollution levels drop supply
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 5, 2025: The High-Level Committee (HLC) for the Rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya has announced significant progress in restoring the ecological health of the water body, with nearly 90% of the decisions made during the July–August 2025 review meetings already implemented.
Constituted by the Punjab Government on July 14, 2025, the committee is chaired by Sh. Sanjeev Arora, Minister for Industries and Commerce, with the Chief Secretary of Punjab serving as Vice-Chairperson. The HLC includes senior officials from multiple departments — Local Government, Water Resources, Science & Technology, PPCB, PEDA, PWD (B&R), PDC, IIT Ropar, and the Ludhiana district administration — ensuring coordinated political, administrative, and technical oversight.
Key Achievements (July–October 2025)
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Projects worth ₹650 crore completed. The Gaughat Intermediate Pumping Station is now fully operational. Slope and drainage issues at critical points have been resolved, and an NIH Roorkee study confirmed adequate capacity in existing sewage treatment plants (STPs).
- Dairy Waste Management: 100% implementation of the zero-discharge policy achieved, with door-to-door collection active across municipal limits. 21 illegal discharge points identified, with FIRs registered after joint departmental surveys.
- Illegal Dairies: Of 76 illegal dairies, 71 have been shut down, while the remaining five—found non-polluting—are under observation.
- CBG and Waste-to-Energy Plants: The 200 MTPD CBG plant is now fully operational; HPCL’s 300 MTPD plant construction has begun, and another similar project will start shortly. PEDA has facilitated all necessary approvals.
- Industrial Effluents & CETP Compliance: CETPs of 15, 40, and 50 MLD capacities now meet PPCB BOD/COD standards. The Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company (TWIC) has been engaged to chart a roadmap for advanced effluent management and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) adoption.
- Electroplating Units: Digital mapping of all units completed. Inspections are ongoing, with non-compliant units sealed and legal action initiated by the PPCB and Municipal Corporation.
- Digital Pollution Monitoring: IIT Ropar has been onboarded for source apportionment and pollution analysis. The initial report is expected in November 2025 and the final assessment by mid-2026.
Encouraging Results
Minister Sanjeev Arora shared that the impact of these measures is already visible:
- BOD reduced from 155 mg/L (Jan 2025) to below 50 mg/L (Oct 2025)
- COD dropped from 400 mg/L to 150 mg/L
- TSS declined from 300 mg/L to around 150 mg/L
“These are extremely encouraging results, reflecting a steady improvement in the water quality of Buddha Dariya,” said Arora.
He added that with seven HLC meetings held in the past four months, the project has transitioned from infrastructure creation to strict enforcement, real-time digital monitoring, and long-term ecological restoration.