Punjab local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday said that he would make 65 “closed” sewerage treatment plants operational across the State taking cue from the model adopted by renowned environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal.
Sidhu, during his meeting with the Padmashree awardee who called on the Minister on Thursday, noted that under Baba Seechewal’s model, sewerage treatment plant (STP) is being run at Dasuha at a cost of mere Rs 12 lakh and the water so treated is being used for the purpose of irrigating the fields.
“It is a need of the hour to make water in these 65 plants absolutely fit for irrigation,” said Sidhu, adding that the cost of 65 closed sewerage treatment plants in the State amounts to Rs 1,300 crore as of now and the State Government is fully committed and duty bound to ensure their running in an efficient manner.
Baba Seechewal, on his part, assured every kind of assistance with regard to the project.
Noted environmentalist has come to meet the Minister as part of a twin purpose to operate closed STPs in the State as well as making the sewerage water fit for irrigational needs.
Baba Seechewal brought to the Minister’s notice towards the issue of sewerage water polluting the holy water at Kiratpur Sahib and the need for its redressal.
Taking prompt action, Sidhu decided to pay a visit to Kiratpur Sahib along with Baba Seechewal on August 5 saying that the inflow of polluted water would be stopped and matter would be taken up with the concerned Deputy Commissioner for allotting a suitable place for establishing sewerage treatment plant.
During the impending visit, Deputy Commissioner and officials of Irrigation Department would also be instructed to be present.
Sidhu told Baba Seechewal that keeping in view the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev falling in the year 2019, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is taking special interest in the beautification of Sultanpur lodhi and celebrating the occasion in a grand manner.
He also disclosed that he would also visit Sultanpur lodhi on August 5 and take stock of the development works needing urgent attention the report of which would be sent to the Chief Minister.
During the meeting, the Minister also discussed at length with Baba Seechewal the project of cleaning Budha Nala and elaborated that a proof of concept with the aid of plasma technology has been prepared for the purpose.
He also expressed his desire to Baba Seechewal to be a guiding light for the Punjab Government in cleaning project of Budha Nala.
Describing the meeting as very constructive and fruitful, Baba Seechewal assured every help in the furtherance of dynamic initiatives being undertaken by Sidhu.