Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Friday, 24 July called on the Punjab government to enforce strict compliance measures to curb the worsening pollution in Buddha Nullah, one of the most contaminated tributaries of the Sutlej river flowing through the industrial city of Ludhiana. Sahney's remarks followed a reply he received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to his parliament question, which underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for stronger state-level action.

What the Ministry Reply Revealed

The ministry's response confirmed that the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an order dated 13 January, directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to impose and recover environmental compensation from industries found to be in default. According to the reply, repeated inspections by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found all four common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in Ludhiana to be non-compliant with prescribed discharge standards. Following these findings, the CPCB issued directions to the PPCB to halt the discharge of untreated effluents into Buddha Nullah.

Compensation Imposed, but Compliance Elusive

Sahney welcomed the Punjab government's decision to constitute a high-level committee to address the issue. He also noted that the PPCB has imposed environmental compensation of approximately ₹21.18 crore on violating industrial units under the 'Polluter Pays Principle'. However, he stressed that financial penalties alone are insufficient without a clear, time-bound roadmap for remediation.

He urged the state government to ensure the high-level committee submits an action plan with measurable milestones, clearly defined responsibilities, and firm implementation timelines, alongside periodic progress reviews. 'The rejuvenation of Buddha Nullah can no longer be delayed,' Sahney said, calling for tangible results on the ground.

NGT's Sharp Rebuke of the Dyeing Industry

The NGT, in a 2025 order, had sharply criticised the dyeing industry in Ludhiana for what it described as 'years of unchecked pollution and institutional failure.' The tribunal had directed the PPCB to submit a comprehensive report on CETP violations, along with detailed environmental compensation calculations and recovery status — a directive whose full implementation remains pending, according to reports.

Why Buddha Nullah Matters

Buddha Nullah, a seasonal stream that passes through the heart of Ludhiana, has long been a flashpoint for environmental and public health concerns. Industrial effluents — particularly from the city's dyeing and textile clusters — have severely degraded water quality, with downstream impact on the Sutlej river and communities dependent on it. This is not the first time the issue has reached parliament or the courts; the NGT has been seized of the matter for several years, making the continued non-compliance of CETPs a particularly stark indictment of enforcement gaps.

What Comes Next

The focus now shifts to whether the Punjab government's high-level committee will deliver a credible action plan within a defined timeframe. Industry bodies, environmental groups, and residents of Ludhiana will be watching closely. With the NGT already on record demanding accountability, further delays risk fresh judicial intervention and steeper penalties for the state and its industrial units.