Earlier, state rights panel sought a report from Water Resources Department
02 May, 2026 – Ferozepur : Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has sought a detailed report from the Water Resources Department over the issue of contaminated canal water affecting four Malwa districts – Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar and Fazilka – following a report carried in The Tribune titled “Toxic canal water triggers health concerns in 4 districts” on April 23.
Environmentalist Jasjit Singh Gill had complained to the Governor, seeking action in the matter related to public health, and attached a report published in The Tribune.
Gill said, “The time has come to conduct a surprise chemical audit of the outlets of all industries. This should include activists and officials from Punjab as well as Rajasthan, because matters have reached a point where the right to life of lakhs of citizens of both states is in danger. The second stage should be to seal the industries responsible for polluting river waters.”
Earlier, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission had taken suo motu cognisance of the news report and sought a detailed report from the Chief Engineer, Canals, Water Resources Department, a week before the next hearing in this matter on May 29.
Notably, the news report highlighted that murky, dark green-coloured water has been flowing through canals across Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar, and Fazilka districts, posing health risks to residents and farmers.
The report also mentioned an emerging potable water shortage in the affected areas, with some officials attributing the deterioration in water quality to pollution in Buddha Nullah. Besides, a senior official claimed that the situation would normalise once the Rajasthan Feeder Canal resumes operations.
The Tribune