Chandigarh, July 12 -- Nearly half of the identified sources polluting Punjab's rivers, drains and other water bodies continue to discharge untreated wastewater despite years of clean-up efforts, with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) informing the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 800 of the state's 1,574 identified pollution sources remain active.

In a status report submitted on July 6 in compliance with the NGT's directions in a suo motu case initiated on the basis of a 2024 media report, the board said 774 pollution sources have been plugged, closed or diverted for treatment. However, the remaining 800 still require intervention by various government departments to prevent untreated wastewater from entering rivers, drains an...