In a major step to further intensify efforts for revival of the sanctity of holy Bein, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed the status of ponds and STPs to be constructed in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts to check direct as well as indirect discharge of untreated water into holy Bein with the renowned environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal.Presiding over a high level meeting with the senior functionaries of the state government besides the Deputy Commissioners of Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar here at his residence this morning, the Chief Minister directed the Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to personally visit the concerned areas where work related to construction of ponds and installation of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) had been halted due to some technical issues. He also asked the PPCB Chairman to coordinate with other departments for the arrangement of land in few villages where it was needed for installation of STPs and construction of ponds.
The Chief Minister also directed his Principal Secretary and Principal Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment to hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners and Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal to resolve all the contentious issues which were creating a blockade in the way of gigantic challenge of cleaning holy Bein. Realizing the lack of coordination amongst various implementing agencies, Mr. Badal deputed both these officers to have detailed interaction with the concerned Panchayats and other officers to ensure timely implementation of this prestigious project.Acceding to the request of Sant Seechewal, the Chief Minister also asked the Chairman PSPCL to immediately release electric connection to lift the pond water wherever needed, to accomplish this major task without any further delay.
The Chief Minister was apprised in the meeting that out of 28 villages in district Kapurthala where untreated water was directly flown into holy Bein, water ponds had been constructed in 23 such villages besides 15 villages out of 25 villages in Kapurthala district where untreated water was being discharged indirectly into holy Bein, have been provided with such ponds. Likewise, water ponds had already been constructed in 12 out of total 18 villages in Hoshiarpur district having direct discharge of untreated water into holy Bein. It was also informed in the meeting by the Chairman PPCB that trade effluent sampling of mills of M/s JCT Ltd., Phagwara, M/s Sukhjit Startch & Chemicals and M/s Wahid Sandhar Sugar Mill were carried out and found the concentration of various pollutants within the limits prescribed by the board.
Mr. Badal also asked the Chief Conservator of Soils to issue instructions to the Divisional Soil Conservation Officer, Jalandhar to be in touch with Sant Seechewal before laying the underground pipes in the region so that the vital inputs and expertise from the ecological angle could also be incorporated while finalizing the soil conservation project. This would enhance far more cohesion and synergy to achieve better implementation of such environment projects by saving lot of time, money and energy.The Chief Minister also agreed to immediately release Rs.1 crore to the Drainage Wing of Irrigation Department for the execution of stone pitching work to ensure adequate release of water to holy Bein from the Mukerian Hydel Project so that the quality of water in the holy Bein and its sanctity could be maintained at every cost.
Taking part in the deliberations, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal informed the Chief Minister that of 7 bridges over holy Bein, four have already been fitted and the work on the remaining three would begin soon after getting the requisite material from the Irrigation Department. He profusely thanked Mr. Badal for taking personal pains for this pro-people initiative aimed at reviving the pristine glory of holy Bein in the right perspective.Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Science, Technology & Environment G Vajralingam, Secretary Local Government Mr. Vikas Pratap, CEO Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Mr. DK Tiwari, Secretary Irrigation Mr. KS Pannu, Chairman PPCB Mr. Manpreet Singh Chatwal, Member Secretary PPCB Dr. Babu Ram, Chairman PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhary, Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala Mr. DS Mangat, Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur Ms. Anindita Mitra and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Kamal Kishore Yadav.