Ludhiana: After years of stagnant promises, a historic village linked with Guru Gobind Singh is finally seeing a ripple of action. A high-speed rejuvenation project is on for five local ponds at Alamgir following a scathing environmental report and a looming National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing.The block development panchayat office (BDPO) has deployed more than 100 workers to the sites after an independent court-appointed expert highlighted significant failures in previous waste management and cleaning efforts. The cleanup follows a long-standing battle by 75-year-old resident Charan Singh, who petitioned the NGT in May 2023 to save the village from the “clutches of a polluted atmosphere”.Villagers claim that the pace of work shifted into high gear only after an amicus curiae (friend of the court) report was made public, detailing the stagnant and hazardous state of the water bodies. “For the last few days, daily wage workers under the MNREGA scheme have been working across all five ponds,” Charan Singh said. “They are draining contaminated water, constructing brick boundary walls, and finally lifting the mounds of garbage that have plagued this village.“The Cleanup RoadmapThe BDPO has set a 15-day deadline to complete the primary restoration works to ensure the village is prepared for the upcoming rainy season. Current operations include active dewatering of Pond Number 2 near the Bhagat-Ravidass Dharam Shala, construction of a “toe wall” and brick reinforcement around Pond Number 3 near Bhai Naghaya Singh Hall, and massive garbage removal and silt clearing involving workers from Alamgir and the neighbouring villages of Sarinh and Bulara.BDPO Rajesh Chadha said: “We are accelerating the dewatering and cleaning processes. Our goal is to ensure a hygienic atmosphere and prevent the seasonal illnesses that historically spike during the monsoon.”Gurudwara Manji Sahib in Ludhiana’s Alamgir village is a historical shrine commemorating the spot where Guru Gobind Singh rested during his flight from the Mughals. It features a large sarovar (tank) the legend say Guru had created by shooting an arrow into the ground.NGT FindingsIt’s written in the latest NGT order that amicus curiae Virendra Singh, Advocate, conducted a surprise inspection on Dec 27, 2025. His report, supported by testimony from 20 local residents, pointed to critical deficiencies in the maintenance of the historical sites.Legal UltimatumThe NGT has granted the local respondents a final opportunity to remedy the deficiencies cited in the amicus curiae report. The court has directed that remedial actions must align with previous Supreme Court mandates regarding the protection of water bodies. The authorities are required to file a comprehensive “action taken” report within one month. The next hearing is scheduled for Feb 26, where the tribunal will assess if the current progress meets environmental standards.
