Villagers at receiving end of toxic Ghaggar

Khanauri (Sangrur) : The release of industrial waste into the Ghaggar has made lives of lakhs of residents miserable in the past decade. In Gurdaspur, the authorities acted promptly after the spill of molasses into the Beas, but toxins flowing into the Ghaggar have been making residents prone to cancer, hepatitis, skin problems, kidney failures and other ailments but the authorities seem to be blind to the problem.
“Industrial waste has been flowing in the Ghaggar without any break for the past decade. It has contaminated the groundwater of the area and we are forced to use highly polluted water for our daily needs as we do not have any alternative. Cancer and other health problems are increasing with the passage of time,” said Kewal Singh from Chandu village, which is located on the embankment of the Ghaggar.
As one travels from Khanauri to Moonak side, the problems only multiply. Residents of many villages, including Baupur, Banarasi, Andana, Shahpur Theri, Chandu, Mandavi, Makraud Sahib and Phuld, are suffering due to the waste being discharged by the industry, which is located more than 100 km away from them.
“Businessmen and residents of other towns are getting employment and other benefits from the industry in their area but we are suffering because industrialists are releasing their waste into the Ghaggar which crosses from our area. This is happening with the active connivance of officials,” said Baljit Singh from Mandavi village, who lost his father to cancer in 2013. During strong winds, the situation becomes even more difficult for the residents as foul smell emanates from the river. Not just humans, the toxins have badly affected the health of animals also.