Environmentalists have opposed the Aam Aadmi Party-led government’s idea of setting up a mega Textile Park near Mattewara forest. Even though the party had objected to the project strongly while campaigning, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently defended the idea of an industrial park in the recent Vidhan Sabha session.
The proposed location of the textile park was strongly criticised by Congress leaders Sukhpal Khaira and Pargat Singh, along with the leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, in the house, who made a strong pitch for relocating it away from the river. Interestingly, it was the Congress-led Captain Amarinder Singh government that had announced the setting up of this industrial park near Mattewara Forest on the bank of River Sutlej about two years back.
Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, President of Bhai Ghanayia Cancer Roko Seva Society said, «Sutlej is already so severely polluted and toxic that drinking its water is giving cancer and birth defects to children in villages of South Punjab. Governments should stop the flow of toxic effluents of Buddha Dariya, Bhattian Drain, Kala Sanghian drain, and Chitti Bein into the Sutlej first. All industrial areas should be away from river banks.»
Col CM Lakhanpal said, «Our Chief Minister should understand that damaging flood plains stop recharging of groundwater. We do not want concrete jungles on flood plains next to our natural jungles. AAP leaders like Harpal Cheema, Kultar Sandhwan and Manuke have themselves openly said that this will not be allowed and now they are all mum. He requested all social, political, religious, and farm leaders of Punjab to visit Mattewara and raise their voice as this decision will impact future generations of Punjab.»
Jaskirat Singh or Naroa Punjab Manch said, «The notification of the PM Mitra scheme, under which this project is being set up, itself clearly says that its objective is to help India in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is so ridiculous that the government is talking about sustainable development goals on one side and choosing a most fragile ecosystem of rivers, flood plains, and forests to damage under that very scheme.»