An investigation is underway following the discovery of dead fish on the surface of a seasonal drain merging into the Sirsa rivulet in Ropar district. Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav has instructed officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the fisheries department to provide a detailed report on the matter.
The incident is reportedly linked to a chemical-loaded tanker overturning into a seasonal drain near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. Anuradha Sharma, Executive Engineer at PPCB Ropar, refrained from commenting and suggested directing inquiries to the fisheries department.
Fisheries department officials in Ropar indicated that the location of the tanker mishap falls within the jurisdiction of Himachal Pradesh. Sandeep Vishisht, Assistant Director for the fisheries department in Ropar, shared details, stating, “We contacted Himachal Pradesh police and learned that the tanker, loaded with chemicals, overturned. Subsequently, a significant portion of the chemical was discharged into the drain before the tanker was successfully retrieved with the assistance of machines and cranes.”
The incident has raised environmental concerns, prompting authorities to swiftly investigate the cause of the fish deaths and assess the potential ecological impact in the region.
