Fly ash continues to irk Ludhiana residents as PPCB fails to check erring factories

Tribune News Service

Harshraj Singh

Ludhiana, February 25

Despite repeatedly voicing their concerns about the significant air pollution allegedly caused by various dyeing industries, residents continuously endure suffering and health problems.

Effective pollution-control measures sought

A group of residents raised questions over the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s failure to check industries allegedly violating environmental regulations. They demanded that the PPCB should implement effective pollution-control measures.

Fly ash discharged from industrial chimneys not only contaminates the air but also settles in their homes, particularly along Tajpur Road, Tibba Road, Bhamian and nearby areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been accused of failing to effectively address the issue, leaving residents to bear the brunt of pollution.

A group of residents raised questions over the PPCB’s failure to check industries allegedly violating environmental regulations. They demanded that the PPCB should implement effective pollution control measures.

Harjinder Kaur, residing in GK Estate, Bhamian Khurd, expressed that for the past around five years, they had been suffering due to air pollution and the falling of fly ash in their homes. However, relief had been elusive. There are a number of industries located at a short distance from their residential area.

“The fly ash continues to fall unabated here. The residue is prominently visible on the white marble flooring of our home. It is a big concern for inhabitants of the area. Furthermore, we refrain from hanging wet clothes on the rooftop due to the persistent falling of black ash. The pollution is also causing health problems for us,” she said.

Joginder Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, near the Central Jail, on Tajpur Road, emphasised lack of respite from continuous fly ash emissions. Many times, passing through affected areas on Tajpur Road becomes challenging even for two-wheeler riders, as pollution particles cause irritation in the eyes.

He said: “The accumulation of fly ash across rooftops further underscores the severity of the problem, with residents witnessing a deterioration in air quality in our area. We had staged protests against the menace in the past but no relief was provided to us. The PPCB must check erring industries and take action.”

Earlier, residents had also demanded from the Municipal Corporation and PPCB to install air pollution measuring devices but to no avail.

On the other hand, Pardeep Gupta, Chief Environmental Engineer, PPCB in Ludhiana, said these colonies were located in the vicinity of the industrial area. While asserting ongoing monitoring of industrial activities, Gupta said they were keeping a check on the industries, and if any violation was found, action was taken.

He said they had caught around five industrial units violating the norms.

However, Ludhiana East MLA Daljeet Singh Grewal could not be contacted for his comments.

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