INDIA: A growing environmental movement led by former Indian Air Force veteran and activist Sunil Sihaag has reached a critical turning point, as villagers intensified their protest against the proposed Solid Waste Management Processing Plant near the Gang Canal (GG Canal).
Hundreds of residents from Netewala Panchayat and nearby villages gathered at the Municipal Council, voicing strong opposition to the project, citing risks to water resources, agriculture, and public health. The protest remained largely peaceful, although authorities briefly shut the main gate of the Municipal Council as a precautionary measure.
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Prominent political and administrative figures, including MLA Jaideep Bihani and ADM Subhash Chaudhary, arrived at the scene to engage with the protesters. A delegation led by retired educationist Richhpal Singh Dugesar held detailed discussions with officials, presenting both environmental and legal arguments against the proposed site.
The delegation included several key community representatives such as Vinod Takhar, Gopi Ram Jhatwal, Tansukh Sewta, Dalip Godara, and others, reflecting broad-based local support for the cause. During the meeting, the villagers proposed an alternative solution: relocating the waste processing facility to land within the RIICO industrial area, which they offered to help arrange and purchase.
In response, MLA Jaideep Bihani assured the delegation that the proposal would be escalated to the Chief Minister. He further confirmed that no construction work would proceed at the current site until a final decision is made.
Speaking after the meeting, Richhpal Singh Dugesar emphasized that while a formal suspension order is pending, the administration has agreed in principle to halt progress at the disputed location. “This development gives a positive direction to the movement,” he said.
At the heart of the protest is Sunil Sihaag, founder of the Gora Foundation Trust, who has been spearheading the campaign for nearly a decade. His initiative, “Save the Canal, Save Villagers’ Lives, Remove the Waste Plant,” has mobilized support across 44 villages situated along the canal.
Recalling the origins of the movement, Sihaag highlighted the role of local youth. “Back in 2016–17, a group of college students raised concerns about the environmental risks, but their voices were overlooked. After my retirement, I connected with them, and under Dugesar’s guidance, we launched a signature campaign to spread awareness,” he said.
Through door-to-door outreach and extensive documentation, the movement has built a strong case grounded in environmental regulations and judicial precedents. Representations submitted to authorities point out that the proposed plant site lies merely seven meters from the GG Canal, violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, which mandate safe distances from water bodies.
The activists have also cited guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board and CPHEEO, which recommend buffer zones and non-agricultural land for such facilities. The contested site, however, is fertile farmland with high groundwater levels, making it particularly vulnerable to contamination.
Further strengthening their case, the delegation referenced landmark Supreme Court judgments, including the Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India, which established the Precautionary Principle, and the MC Mehta vs Kamal Nath, which introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. They also cited the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti vs Union of India, emphasizing accountability of authorities in environmental compliance.
Villagers additionally raised concerns about downstream impacts, referencing the pollution crisis in Ludhiana’s Budha Nala, which drew attention from the National Green Tribunal. The proximity of a century-old heritage structure, the Raja Ganga Singh Rest House, further adds to the sensitivity of the location.
Sunil Sihaag underscored the broader significance of the movement, stating, “This is not just about one waste plant. It is about environmental justice, water security, and safeguarding public health. Development must align with scientific standards and environmental laws.”
As the administration reviews the alternative proposal, the Netewala protest stands as a compelling example of grassroots environmental activism shaping policy decisions through sustained public engagement and legal awareness.
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