Ludhiana, Oct. 24 -- Even as the city gears up for Chhath Puja celebrations after Diwali, heaps of garbage and religious waste continue to choke the Sutlej river near Ladhowal and Sidhwan Canal. The district administration has failed to check the growing pollution, with no challan issued so far by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) or the Irrigation Department against those throwing waste into the water bodies.

Environmental volunteers have alleged that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the open dumping of religious materials, plastic items, and domestic garbage along the riverbanks. The situation has worsened ahead of Chhath Puja, when thousands of devotees are expected to gather at the Sutlej bridge for rituals.

Accord...