Punjab, Haryana, Himachal agree to check rivers' pollution

Northern states Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday agreed to take steps to check the pollution in rivers flowing in the region.

The chief secretaries of all three states met here to resolve the issues related to pollution in river water in these states.

"During the meeting, it was informed that River Sutlej is mainly being polluted in Himachal Pradesh by industries of Golthai, Mehatpur and Nalagarh area. After detailed deliberations it was decided that joint sampling and monitoring on quarterly basis will be done by the officials of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh near these industrial areas to effectively check the water quality in these rivers," a Punjab government spokesman said here.

River Sutlej enters Punjab near Nangal town, 110 km from here, after flowing through Himachal Pradesh.

The Punjab government assured that it will take steps, including setting up sewage treatment plants along river to lessen pollution in it.

Regarding river Ghaggar which flows from Himachal Pradesh into Haryana, Himachal's chief secretary said that the locations where the river is getting polluted have been identified and five sewage treatment plants (STPs), including at Parwanoo, Kala Amb and Baddi will be made operational soon.

"Officers from Haryana mentioned that a joint monitoring of the pollutants level is already being done with Punjab and this has resulted in reduction in pollutants level. To further reduce the pollutants, 73 Sewage Treatment Plants are being installed out of which 36 have already been commissioned and remaining will be made operational in next six months," the spokesman said.