NGT Member Reviews Environmental Plan Compliance in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, January 31, 2026: Today, Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Member Judge, National Green Tribunal, chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess compliance with various judgements and directions of the NGT relating to formulation and implementation of the District Environmental Plan of Ludhiana. The meeting was attended by officers of the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Health Department, District Administration, and other stakeholder departments.

During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the implementation status of the District Action Plan with specific focus on municipal solid waste management, segregation and processing of waste, management of domestic sewage, operational performance of Sewage Treatment Plants, biomedical waste management, construction and demolition waste management, and overall compliance status of industries. The progress of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for dyeing and electroplating industries was also reviewed, along with other critical environmental concerns in the district.

The Member Judge reviewed the quantity of legacy waste lying at various dump sites, the present status of bio remediation of such legacy waste, and the action plan prepared for its scientific remediation and disposal. Timelines and methodologies adopted for bio remediation were examined, and emphasis was laid on time bound and outcome oriented execution. Similar discussions were held on management of other waste streams including e waste and plastic waste, control of noise pollution, identification of environmental hot spots, and formulation of focused action plans for mitigation of pollution in these areas.

With regard to biomedical waste management, the Member Judge emphasized that health care establishments and hospitals shall be subjected to random inspections by senior officers of the Health Department to effectively monitor compliance with the Biomedical Waste Management Rules and to ensure proper segregation, storage, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste.

The Member Judge further directed that while planning and construction of infrastructure projects, it shall be ensured that at least 11 percent of the total area is developed and maintained as green area. In respect of mining activities, directions were issued that all mining sites shall obtain Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the Punjab Pollution Control Board and strictly comply with the conditions imposed therein.

It was also directed that the State Pollution Control Board shall formulate an action plan for effective allocation and utilization of funds under Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Environment Responsibility activities for environmental improvement works. Further, the District Administration was directed to identify firecracker vendors and ensure that storage of such explosives is carried out in an environmentally sound and safe manner in accordance with applicable norms.

The Member Judge appreciated the initiatives taken by the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and other stakeholder departments. He reiterated that treated wastewater from STPs should be gainfully reused, particularly for irrigation and other non-potable purposes, to conserve freshwater resources. He stressed that segregation of waste at source is mandatory and that all directions of the NGT must be complied with in true letter and spirit through coordinated and sustained efforts of all concerned departments.