Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met the Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to discuss the issue of contaminated waters in the State.

Mann, in a tweet, had earlier informed that he will be meeting the Union Minister in the national capital and discuss in detail the issue of purifying the polluted waters of Punjab.

Both sides discussed the issue of pollution in Buddha Nallah — a seasonal water stream passing through Ludhiana, and addressed the problem of contaminated water entering canals off-taking from Harike Barrage. A discussion on the implementation of the project of rejuvenation of polluted rivers in Punjab, under the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), was also held.

Terming it an important meeting, Mann said: “Punjab’s water is highly polluted today. In some areas, Uranium, Arsenic, and heavy metals in the water bodies are found. This has resulted in children born handicapped. The holy Satluj river has now turned into a river of cancer.”

“I hope to resolve this issue by collaborating with the Centre. Cleaning of rivers is our pre-poll promise and guarantee, and we consider it as our responsibility,” he added.

Mann had earlier, on July 18, launched a campaign to clean rivers and drains across the state. After that, he revealed that the State Government will soon embark on a massive campaign to clean the natural resources in the form of rivers and drains of the state. He had also called upon the people to support the initiative.