Ludhiana: A field inspection by the Public Action Committee (PAC) has revealed major operational gaps at intermediate pumping stations (IPSs) and continued pollution in Buddha Dariya, with black wastewater, foul odour, and choked drains persisting across parts of the city.Inspecting sites at Transport Nagar, Industrial Area A, and Gaughat, the PAC team questioned the effectiveness of ongoing pollution-control measures. At Transport Nagar, the IPS was found non-functional, while wastewater flow in the open drain carrying discharge from the Sherpur side had dropped considerably. The committee sought a technical probe to check if discharge was being diverted via concealed pipelines or the sewerage network linked to the Bhattian sewage treatment plant (STP).At Shingar Cinema Road IPS, only one pump was operating, and reduced flow in the adjoining drain again raised suspicions of illegal diversion. Meanwhile, both IPSs at Gaughat were operational with no direct discharge visible at the checked points, yet black wastewater remained present in the drains and the river.Flagging scattered solid waste and persistent stench, the committee cited a ‘very poor’ air quality index (AQI) reading of 305 near Gaughat Gurudwara and demanded laboratory testing of the black wastewater to determine contamination levels.PAC members noted that industrial effluents and dairy waste remain primary pollutants, calling for a probe into their flow through sewer lines, common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), and the 225 MLD STP. Stressing that treatment plants alone cannot revive the water body without stopping pollution at the source, the panel reiterated its demand for zero untreated discharge and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) wherever technically and legally applicable.The committee also demanded the public release of recommendations made by the 15-day Buddha Dariya Action Committee—headed by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal—along with an implementation timeline and fixed departmental accountability.Col CM Lakhanpal stated that restoration efforts must move beyond announcements to show measurable improvements in water quality, warning that continued pollution threatens public health, groundwater, and the Satluj river.