The untreated industrial and sewage effluent of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh is polluting the Ghaggar badly.
In a meeting held last month, the Chief Minister of Punjab and Haryana had decided to take all preventive measures to make the river pollution free, but the industrial effluents from Parwanoo, Nahan, Kala Amb and Derabassi are still flowing in it.
Both the states were of a view to install sewage treatment plants and upgrade existing plants to bring down biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level to 10mg per litre before discharging of treated sewage effluents into the river.
The industrial effluents are seen in the Ghaggar in Ambala and can pose threat to residents of nearby villages and their cattle. The effluent steps into groundwater and contaminate it. Vegetables growers of adjoining villages also complain of polluted water in the river.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Anil Vij said the government had already taken up the matter with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments and all necessary steps would be taken to make the Ghaggar pollution free.
Industrial effluents from Parwanoo, Nahan, Kala Amb and Derabassi flow into the Ghaggar.Vegetables growers of adjoining villages also complain of polluted water in the river.