Jalandhar, Aug 8 – Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a ₹3.4-crore Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and main pumping station at Dera Sachkhand Ballan, a prominent religious and social organisation near Jalandhar dedicated to Guru Ravidass.
The project, originally announced by former CM Charanjit Singh Channi ahead of the 2022 state assembly elections, will have a treatment capacity of 0.5 million litres per day (MLD) and is expected to be completed in 12 months.
Mann said the initiative would significantly improve sanitation infrastructure and provide a clean, healthy environment for the lakhs of devotees who visit the dera. Importantly, treated water will be recycled and reused to irrigate around 13 hectares of land, reducing groundwater dependence.
“This project is a step towards clean water access, environmental protection, and enhanced public health facilities,” Mann said, according to an official statement.
After paying obeisance at the dera, the chief minister sought blessings from dera head Sant Niranjan Dass, and praised the dera’s social contributions in promoting equality, education, and healthcare among marginalised communities.
“This land has always upheld the ideals of universal peace, brotherhood, and communal harmony,” Mann said, adding that the dera continues to inspire millions of followers of Guru Ravidass, who championed egalitarian values.
He also highlighted the Punjab government’s commitment to education, healthcare, and employment reforms, noting that Punjab now leads the country in educational outcomes. “Following Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision, we have prioritised inclusive development across sectors,” he said.
