Strict Warning Issued to Municipal Council Sangrur by PPCB
Installation of CCTV and Weigh-Scales at Dump Sites Now Mandatory.
Sangrur, December 30, (S. S. Bawa) –
The year 2025 has proved to be a year of significant public interest and legal struggle for environmental conservation and the protection of citizens’ health in Sangrur. Following a petition filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by a group of concerned citizens—led by Advocate Kamal Anand, Jatinder Kalra, Satinder Saini, Parveen Bansal, and Roshan Garg—this battle has finally reached a decisive turning point.
After a hearing in December 2025, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) issued strict directives to the Municipal Council, Sangrur, to overhaul the system by 2026.
Challenges and Administrative Negligence
During the past year, the pathetic condition of the city’s dumping ground forced thousands of residents to breathe in foul-smelling, toxic air. Investigations revealed several critical lapses:
Burning of Waste: In open violation of rules, garbage was repeatedly set on fire at dumping sites, leading to increased respiratory issues among children and the elderly.
Bio-Medical Waste: Hazardous hospital waste (needles, bandages, etc.) was found mixed with general municipal waste, posing a severe health risk.
Lack of Source Segregation: The campaign to separate wet and dry waste at the household level remained largely confined to paperwork.
Heavy Fines: Due to continuous violations, an environmental compensation fine of ₹84 Lakh has been imposed on the Municipal Council to date.
Strict Directives for 2026
Following the December 2025 hearing, the following mandates have been issued to ensure a cleaner 2026:
Surveillance: It is now mandatory to install CCTV cameras covering every corner of the dumping site and weigh-scales (to measure incoming waste) within one month.
Bio-Remediation: The Council must submit a timeline within 15 days to dispose of legacy waste and begin work immediately.
Health & Hygiene: Frequent spraying of herbal sanitizers at the dump site is required to control flies and filth.
Strict Bans: A total ban on burning waste has been reinforced, with specific instructions to keep 20 sensitive Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) across the city clean.
A Ray of Hope for Citizens
The leaders of this movement—Advocate Kamal Anand, Jatinder Kalra, Satinder Saini, Parveen Bansal, and Roshan Garg—stated that their struggle is against systemic negligence. They expressed hope that in 2026, Sangrur will be developed as a “Zero Waste Model,” providing residents with clean air and a pollution-free environment. Additionally, they have strongly advocated for better facilities and equipment for the city’s sanitation workers (Safai Sewaks).
