Report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on discharge of treated effluent from the 50 MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP) into Buddha Nallah by the Punjab Dyers Association, 19/03/2025
Reply by way of affidavit by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the matter of Public Action Committee & Others Vs Union of India & Others dated 19/03/2025. The CPCB report was in compliance with the NGT order, November 29, 2024.
The matter related to discharge of treated effluent from the 50 MLD common effluent treatment plant (CETP) into Buddha Nallah by the Punjab Dyers Association despite the directions contained in the order dated September 25, 2024 passed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and also the Supreme Court order of February 22, 2017 which prohibits discharge into Budha Dariya. It is also mentioned that environmental clearance (EC) granted to the CETP dated May 3, 2013 mandates "no discharge into Buddha Nallah".
CPCB said that based on inspection, it was observed that two CETPs (40 MLD and 50 MLD) were operational based on the EC dated May 3, 2013. Separate EC for 15 MLD CETP and 500 KLD CETP was obtained. The CETPs 40 MLD, 50 MLD and 15 MLD was discharging the treated wastewater into the Buddha Nallah. However, the 500 KLD CETP is maintaining ZLD.
CPCB carried out water quality monitoring of Buddha Nallah and river Sutlej (at upstream and downstream of Buddha Nallah) on December 25, 2024. The results reveal that water quality of river Sutlej before the confluence of Buddha Nallah was meeting the primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). However, the water quality of Sutlej after the confluence of Buddha Nallah at Walipur was not meeting the primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing with respect to BOD, faecal coliform and faecal streptococci.