Sacred spring to toxic ponds: NGT wants no water pollution or encroachment at Ludhiana’s Alamgir village in Punjab

Ludhiana: Authorities concerned have received directions for quick remedial action to remove all encroachment and tackle pollution in the five ponds of this district's historical Alamgir village, following an ongoing case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The apex environmental body found that illegal structures on the ponds had not been removed fully, despite previous orders. Further measures are also required to restore the water bodies and manage domestic sewage effectively. The next hearing is on May 7, exact two years after retired Powercom engineer Charan Singh initiated this case in 2023 by moving the NGT.
In response to that complaint, the tribunal had on Aug 2, 2023, formed a joint investigating committee comprising representatives from the environment and forest ministries, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), and Ludhiana's district magistrate to verify facts and recommend corrective measures. In its latest order of March 18, made public recently, the NGT reiterated that all encroachment remained on the ground and instructed authorities to expedite its removal.
It also ordered rejuvenation efforts, including the treatment and proper utilisation of sewage and effluent that affect the ponds. The tribunal has ordered officials to submit detailed affidavits outlining actions taken, pending measures, budget allocations, and completion timelines at least one week before the next hearing. To prevent future land grab, the NGT has mandated fencing the ponds and the panting indigenous species under the rural job guarantee scheme, social forestry scheme, and other environmental initiatives.
The tribunal also noted that its directive of Dec 11, 2024, had led to a demarcation of the affected ponds and video documentation of the task. The deputy commissioner had filed this demarcation report to Punjab's principal secretary for rural development and panchayats, leading to eviction petitions and orders for removal of illegal structures. Senior officials, including the principal secretary, collector, and the DC, submitted affidavits confirming these actions.
At a recent hearing, Uma Shankar, special secretary in Punjab's rural development department, appeared before the tribunal via videoconferencing to present submissions. All eyes will be on whether the authorities can deliver on the tribunal's directives to restore the ponds and prevent future violations.
Historical significance of village
Home to the historical Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Alamgir village, 11 km from Ludhiana, is where Guru Gobind Singh stayed in disguise for a few days in 1704 after a hazardous journey of dodging Mughal military trackers following the siege of Anandpur Sahib and created a spring of curative properties by shooting an arrow into the ground, which is now ‘Tirsar' (arrow lake) tank. The name Alamgir (conqueror of the world) is likely associated with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. As a Manji or palanquin had been used to bring the disguised Guru to Alamgir, as the ‘Peer of Ucch', the gurdwara was called Manji Sahib, where the original palanquin has been preserved.
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