– Emphasizes Efficient Solid and Liquid Waste Management: Dr. Balbir Singh
Patiala, July 27:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh chaired a high-level meeting in Patiala today to assess and improve the city’s waste management systems. Senior officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, District Administration, Municipal Corporation, and Patiala Development Authority (PDA) participated in the discussions.
Present at the meeting were PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Parmvir Singh, and PDA Chief Administrator Manisha Rana.
Dr. Balbir Singh held deliberations with professors from Thapar University on the waste management technology developed by the institution, exploring its applicability in Patiala. He underscored the importance of adopting advanced and sustainable methods for effective solid and liquid waste management.
He informed that a pilot project has already been launched in two wards of the city, aiming for 100% scientific waste management. This initiative will soon be scaled to cover all municipal wards and areas under the PDA.
The Minister also reviewed the ongoing desilting and cleaning operations of local ponds (chhappards), stressing the need to conserve groundwater through recharge wells and drip irrigation techniques. He suggested that pond water, once treated, could be effectively used for irrigation, and recommended the adoption of the Thapar model for water treatment.
Additional Deputy Commissioners Isha Singhal and Navreet Kaur Sekhon, SDM Harvjot Kaur, and PPCB officials were also present.
