Rupnagar, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha has called for a joint inspection of the Sirsa-Swan-Sutlej drainage system to investigate the alleged influx of industrial waste into the Sutlej and identify sources of pollution in Himachal Pradesh’s industrial areas.
Chadha said a PPCB Rupnagar official had taken up the issue with the Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), proposing a joint inspection team comprising officials of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The proposed inspection would cover the entire Sirsa-Swan-Sutlej drainage system, including industrial areas in Baddi-Nalagarh and Golthai in Himachal Pradesh.
Expressing concern over the accumulation of industrial and other waste at the Ropar Headworks, Chadha said strict action was required against industries allegedly polluting the drainage network and the Sutlej. He called for identification of unauthorised outlets from industrial units and common drains leading towards the Sirsa and Swan rivers.
He also urged the Himachal Pradesh Government to undertake special monsoon surveillance, including night inspections and surprise sampling of drains and industrial outlets, to check alleged illegal discharge of waste during periods of heavy rainfall.
Chadha said the Punjab Government would raise the matter with the CPCB and seek an appropriate inter-state mechanism to determine responsibility and ensure time-bound compliance, particularly as the affected water resource is used for drinking and irrigation.
A PPCB team comprising SDOs Aditya Sharma and Harsimran Singh Sodhi and JE Balpreet Singh inspected the site. According to the MLA, the team observed large quantities of plastic bottles and other material, industrial waste, thermocol and vegetative waste accumulated near the gates of the Ropar Headworks, contributing to contamination of the river.
Chadha said he visited the Ropar Headworks on Sunday along with police and Municipal Corporation officials following the development. An FIR was subsequently registered against the owners of factories in Baddi-Nalagarh under Sections 270, 271, 279 and 280 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 24 and 43 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and Section 7 of the Environment (Protection) Act.
He alleged that some industries take advantage of monsoon conditions to discharge toxic chemicals, industrial waste, garbage, plastic and other refuse into rivers and streams, eventually affecting the Sutlej.
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