Ludhiana activists plan to revive Buddha Nullah

Citizen-Led Plan for Buddha Nullah Revival

Environmental activists and city residents are working together to create a roadmap for reviving the polluted Buddha Nullah into a flowing Buddha Darya. This plan also aims to address the worsening groundwater crisis in Ludhiana.

Framework for Water Management

The framework focuses on scientific recycling and reuse of wastewater. It has two main goals: river rejuvenation and sustainable water management.

Water Reuse Proposal

The plan suggests reusing nearly 555 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water. This water will help restore the natural flow of Buddha Darya, reduce pollution, and recharge groundwater.

Phased Implementation

In the first phase, treated water from the Sahnewal and Jamalpur sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be used to irrigate about 1,900 acres of farmland nearby. Later phases will include laying pipelines to transfer treated water from Jamalpur to Balloke and further downstream to Wallipur. This will ensure a continuous flow in the lower stretch of Buddha Darya.

Support for Agriculture

The plan also includes building lift irrigation ponds along the nullah. These ponds will support agriculture and help recharge groundwater.

Concerns About Industrial Wastewater

Residents and activists have raised objections to reusing treated industrial wastewater for irrigation in the Mattewara forest area. They noted that common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) are in poor condition and cannot effectively remove harmful chemicals and heavy metals. They warned that allowing this water into sensitive areas could harm biodiversity and contaminate groundwater.

Call for Strict Regulations

The group has called for strict enforcement of zero liquid discharge norms for industries, dairies, hospitals, and hotels. They also want to shift polluting industries out of mixed land-use zones, remove encroachments along the waterbody, and manage dairy waste scientifically.

Community Support

Col CM Lakhanpal, a member of the PAC–Mattewara Jungles, stated that the plan shows how citizen-led initiatives can solve long-standing environmental issues. He said, “If implemented with sincerity and scientific oversight, Buddha Darya can be revived as a parallel water body and become a lifeline for groundwater recharge.”