CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered the constitution of a special task force to clean up the Buddha Nullah . The task force, with Baba Udai Singh of Namdhari sect as its patron, will submit its report to the chief minister in two months.A senior official said the CM has directed the chief secretary to constitute the task force, comprising elected representatives, technocrats and public figures. It will study and suggest measures to address issues of treating industrial effluents, solid waste management, besides ways to pro-actively engage with the public.The CM has also asked the local government department to submit a proposal to enhance the existing capacity of sewage treatment plants (STPs) from the current 516 MLDs to 675 MLDs, besides augmenting the treatment facilities for industrial effluents. Both the local bodies and industries departments have been directed to expeditiously complete all the ongoing works being carried out to flush out toxic substances from the Buddha Nullah. The principal secretary, water resources, has also been asked to draw up a detailed plan for a lasting remedy for channelling and beautification of the 14km length of the drain, which flows through the city. The CM issued these directives during a meeting with Baba Udai Singh.Underlining the need to find a lasting solution to the long-standing problem, the CM said it was time to pro-actively engage industry representatives and public to complement the government’s efforts in providing safe and healthier drinking water to all. The health of the city residents was of paramount concern for the government, he said, adding that the effluents being thrown into the drain were also adversely impacting the quality of sub-soil water in the region.Baba Udai Singh pledged full support and cooperation to the government’s endeavours. The CM assured him of all assistance in accomplishing this task in a time-bound manner. It was stated during the meeting that at present, close to 700 MLD water was flowing in the drain, of which 80% was coming from municipal sewerage and industries contributing around 15% of it. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were environment minister O P Soni, revenue minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, chief principal secretary to CM Suresh Kumar, principal secretary to CM Tejveer Singh and Ludhiana deputy commissioner Pradeep Aggarwal.

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