Chandigarh, July 15 -- The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has ordered immediate restoration and the initiation of proceedings for environmental compensation against rural development authorities after water samples collected from five ponds in Ludhiana's historic village of Alamgir were found to be heavily polluted.

In an additional affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Tuesday, the PPCB informed the tribunal that water samples collected from the five village ponds on February 26, 2026, exceeded the prescribed pollution limits. Laboratory analysis conducted on March 13, 2026, revealed that all five ponds failed to meet the standards prescribed under the state action plan for the rejuvenation of village ponds...