Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday held discussions with renowned environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal for revival of the Holy Bein.
Both reviewed the status of ponds and sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be constructed in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts to check direct and indirect discharge of untreated water into the bein.
The meeting, attended by the functionaries of the State Government and Deputy Commissioners of Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar, was aimed at further intensifying efforts to revive the holy Bein.
Badal directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairman to visit the areas where work has been stalled due to technical issues and coordinate with other departments.
He also directed his principal secretary and Science, Technology and Environment principal secretary to hold a meeting with the DCs and Seechewal to resolve all the contentious issues which were creating a blockade in the way of gigantic challenge of cleaning holy Bein.
Realising the lack of coordination amongst various implementing agencies, Badal deputed both the officers to have detailed interaction with the concerned Panchayats and other officers to ensure timely implementation of this prestigious project.
Acceding to Seechewal’s request, Badal also asked the Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl) chairman to ensure electric supply to lift pond water wherever needed.
Badal agreed to release Rs one crore to drainage wing of the Irrigation Department for the execution of stone pitching work to ensure adequate release of water to holy Bein from the Mukerian Hydel channel so that the quality of water is maintained.
Taking part in the deliberations, Baba Seechewal informed Badal that of the seven bridges planned over holy Bein, four have already been constructed and the work on the remaining three would begin soon after getting the required material from the Irrigation Department.