ETP Capacity Fails to Meet Basic Demand
Ludhiana’s Tajpur Road dairy complex is facing a major sanitation breakdown. Streets are flooded with wastewater mixed with cow dung because the 2.25 MLD effluent treatment plant (ETP) cannot handle the actual load. Farmers say the area needs at least a 5 MLD system. They also point out the lack of a proper cow-dung collection setup, which forces many units to dump waste in open spaces. This has created foul smells and constant blockages across the area.
Daily Operations and Public Health at Risk
The poor conditions have disrupted basic dairy work. Farmers struggle to unload cattle feed and move through narrow, waterlogged lanes. MLA Daljit Singh Grewal has warned that milk produced in such unhygienic surroundings may affect consumer health. Residents fear the spread of diseases as stagnant water collects near homes and dairy sheds.
Temporary Drainage Offers Only Short-Term Relief
Officials allowed dairy units to release wastewater into the Buddha Dariya for one week to clear the streets. Although some water has receded, large amounts of cow dung remain. This continues to affect movement and adds to the foul smell in the area.
Buddha Dariya Faces Long-Term Pollution
The Buddha Dariya is already bearing heavy pollution from dairy waste. Inspections in 2025 found at least 39 points along Tajpur Road where untreated effluents enter the drain. Many dairy units are still not connected to the ETP, which allows direct discharge of wastewater.
Biogas Plant Delay Adds to Waste Burden
A biogas plant, proposed almost ten years ago, has still not been built. Farmers say it is essential for handling solid waste. Without it, open dumping will continue. They fear that the problem will grow worse if authorities do not act soon.
Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Further Decline
Tajpur Road is one of Ludhiana’s key dairy clusters. Farmers believe that only a stronger ETP, proper waste connections and the long-pending biogas plant can restore basic sanitation. They warn that delays will harm dairy operations, public health and the environment.