Project to rejuvenate Buddha Dariya’ : Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal meets dairy farmers for unanimous solution of cow dung

*’Project to rejuvenate Buddha Dariya’ : Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal meets dairy farmers for unanimous solution of cow dung

*Dairy farmers appealed to dump cow dung at designated sites till MC hires contractor for door to door lifting of cow dung*

*Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh also directed the authorities to expedite the process of establishing bio-gas plants*

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, January 27:

For finding unanimous solution to stop the dumping of cow dung in ‘Buddha Dariya’, Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal conducted meetings with the dairy farmers in Tajpur road dairy complex and Haibowal dairy complex on Monday.

The meeting with the dairy farmers of Tajpur road complex was held at 225mld Jamalpur STP of the civic body, while the meeting with dairy farmers of Haibowal dairy complex was held in the complex only.

Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, late MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi’s wife Sukhchain Bassi Gogi and son Savraj Bassi, MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh, Chief Engineer Ravinder Garg, PPCB Ludhiana Chief Engineer RK Ratra, councillor Indu Munish Shah, Executive Engineer Ekjot Singh among others were present during the meetings.

Local Bodies minister, Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal said that during these meetings, interactions were held and feedback was also taken from the dairy farmers for finding a unanimous solution for the problem. The aim is to stop dumping of cow dung in ‘Buddha Dariya’.

Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh said that Municipal Corporation (MC) has already floated a tender for hiring a contractor for door to door lifting of cow dung from the dairy units. Till that time, temporary arrangements have been put in place and the dairy farmers have been appealed to dump the cow dung at designated sites in their respective dairy complexes.

The dairy farmers agreed to the terms and assured that they will dump the cow dung at the designated sites only, till the civic body hires a contractor for door to door lifting of cow dung. The dairy farmers also agreed to pay a certain amount/fee, if arrangements are made for door to door lifting of cow dung. Meanwhile, the Cabinet minister also listened to the grievances of the dairy farmers and issued directions to resolve the same as soon as possible. Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal also inspected an ETP established to treat the dairy waste on Tajpur road.

Dr Ravjot Singh further directed the authorities to expedite the process of establishing two bio-gas plants in Tajpur road and Haibowal dairy complexes. The authorities stated that one bio-gas plant is already operational in Haibowal dairy complex, but due to its low capacity, an additional plant is being established in the complex. In bio-gas plants, cow dung is used to generate bio-gas.

MP Seechewal appreciated Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh for his concern over the project to clean ‘Buddha Dariya’ stating that the cabinet minister has visited the city for this project for the fifth time in a period of around a month.

Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh, MP Seechewal and MLA Grewal said that the state government led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to make ‘Rangla Punjab’. They appealed to the residents to join hands with the government and administration, so that combined efforts can be made for saving the environment for the coming generations.

Cabinet Minister said that the government or administration is not against the dairy farmers, but no one can be allowed to pollute ‘Buddha Dariya’, which holds religious importance. Dumping of cow dung in sewer lines is also affecting the working of sewer treatment plants (STP) and effluent treatment plants (ETP).

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