29102025-ATR-01.qxd 10/28/2025 11:21 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 28°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 17°C COMPUTER TEACHERS’ DHARNA ENTERS THIRD DAY TARN TARAN BYPOLL: PARTY CHIEFS RALLY FOR NOMINEES EMRAAN HASHMI LEADS COURTROOM DRAMA HAQ The computer teachers, who have been fighting for their demands, continued their indefinite dharna on the third day. P2 As the November 11 polling day draws closer, political activities have intensified across the Tarn Taran constituency. P2 Emraan and Yami Gautam are set to bring Haq,which focuses on Mohd Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum case.P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.43 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6.44 AM » WEDNESDAY | 29 OCTOBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Pvt company asked to speed up process of waste bioremediation Tribune News Service Four major Asian airlines boost city’s winter 2025 connectivity Amritsar, October 28 Municipal Corporation (MC) officials have directed EcoStan company to accelerate the process of waste bioremediation at the Bhagtanwala dump site to ensure the timely disposal of legacy waste accumulated over the years. Acting on the directions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bikramjeet Singh Shergill, Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh visited the Bhagtanwala dump site to review the progress of the ongoing bioremediation work being carried out by EcoStan. During the inspection, the Additional Commissioner instructed company officials to expedite the process and increase the pace of operations so that the legacy waste can be cleared at the earliest. Surinder Singh stated that the task of bioremediation at the Bhagtanwala dump site has been assigned to EcoStan, which is expected to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. “I personally inspected the site to assess the progress of work. According to the company’s report, a total of 23,335 tonnes of waste has been bio- remediated between October 1 and October 27, an average of 863 tonnes per day,” he said. At present, two trommel machines are operational at the site, while a third machine is expected to be commissioned shortly to further enhance the processing capacity. The Additional Commissioner directed company representatives to increase the operational efficiency and complete the task in accordance with the terms and conditions laid out in the work order. BSF nabs man with heroin in Tarn Taran Carbide firecrackers cause surge in blinding injuries, say experts Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 28 A smuggler was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) near Wan village in Tarn Taran district following a specific intelligence input from the force’s intelligence wing. According to a Border Security Force spokesperson, alert troops spotted the suspect hiding in a paddy field and immediately launched a joint search operation with Punjab Police. The operation led to the recovery of three packets of heroin weighing 1.652 kg, along with a mobile phone and a scooty from the accused. The arrested individual, a resident of Wan village, has been handed over to Punjab Police by the BSF jawans for further investigation into the contraband seizure. Amritsar, October 28 The Punjab Ophthalmological Society (POS) — an association of eye specialists — has issued a nationwide warning against the use of carbide-based and improvised firecrackers, following a sharp rise in blinding eye injuries across the country. Dr Shaukeen Singh, president of the Amritsar Academy of Ophthalmologists, along with secretary Dr Karamjeet Singh and Dr Raman Mittal, said that hospitals in several states have reported an alarming increase in serious eye injuries caused by carbide bombs or carbide guns. These dangerous explosives are made by mixing calcium carbide with water, which produces acetylene gas, a highly flammable compound. “Such devices are Gurdaspur, October 28 With incidents of illegal mining increasing, particularly in Dinanagar assembly seat, new Deputy Commissioner (DC) Aditya Uppal has asked the SSP and Mining Department officials to confiscate the trucks, tippers and other machines involved in unauthorised evacuation. There are some vulnerable points in Dinanagar along the Ravi river. Unscrupulous people have very conveniently, and shrewdly, turned these into favourite places to dig out sand from the river bed and sell it to outside sources, preferably in Amritsar and Ferozepur. Sources revealed the miners are doing this under the garb of the ‘Jiska Khet, Uski Ret’ policy of the government. The DC said, “Some inci- Tribune News Service MC officials inspect the Bhagtanwala dump site in Amritsar. He added that the municipal corporation remains committed to transforming the Bhagtanwala site in line with environmental standards. Once the bioremediation work is completed, the area will be redeveloped into a green zone to provide a cleaner and healthier environment for residents. Senior MC officials accompanying the inspection emphasised that regular monitoring will continue to ensure that the work progresses smoothly and within the prescribed deadline. Amritsar, October 28 The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (SGRDJI) in Amritsar is set for a major leap in global air connectivity this winter, as four prominent Asian airlines — Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot and Thai Lion Air — expand their operations for the Winter 2025–26 travel season. Running from November 2025 to March 2026, the new winter schedule marks one of the strongest phases of international connectivity for Amritsar in recent years. Collectively, these airlines will increase their total weekly flights from 36 to 40 (both ways), offering nearly 9,300 seats per week between Amritsar and their main hubs — Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bangkok. The expanded network will enable seamless one-stop travel from Punjab to major destinations across Southeast Asia — including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong Hospitals in several states have reported an alarming increase in serious eye injuries caused by carbide bombs or carbide guns. chemical explosives, not traditional firecrackers. They can cause severe burns, destroy the cornea, and lead to irreversible blindness, facial disfigurement, and permanent disability,” explained Dr Shaukeen Singh. In light of this growing threat, ophthalmologists have urged the government to ban the manufacture, sale, transport, and use of carbide-based firecrackers across India. They also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and avoid buying these unsafe explosives. Running from November 2025 to March 2026, the new winter schedule marks one of the strongest phases of international connectivity for Amritsar in recent years. FILE PHOTO — along with convenient onward links to Australia and New Zealand. With multiple full-service and low-cost options now available, travelers can skip transits through Delhi and enjoy faster, more affordable journeys directly from Amritsar. Sameep Singh Gumtala, global convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, said: “The growing network from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok highlights Amritsar’s increasing importance for travellers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana.” Malaysia Airlines will continue operating 14 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar. The carrier has recently expanded its international network with a new route to Brisbane (starting November 25) and added frequencies to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. Through its partnership with Qantas, passengers gain easy access to all major Australian cities. AirAsia, Malaysia’s leading low-cost carrier, has increased its Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar service from six to eight flights weekly, offering greater flexibility. From Kuala Lumpur, passengers can connect across the AirAsia Group’s extensive regional network and its longhaul partner AirAsia X to destinations throughout Asia and Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. On the Singapore route, Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, will operate 10 weekly flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Scoot’s interline partnership with Singapore Airlines allows travelers to connect throughout the Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, including to Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland, Vancouver, and Calgary. Adding to the strong Southeast Asian presence, Thai Lion Air will expand its Bangkok (Don Mueang)Amritsar service from six to eight weekly flights, providing quick four-hour connectivity to Thailand. From Bangkok, passengers can continue to popular leisure and business destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, Bali, Chiang Mai, and major Asian hubs like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. New Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner comes down heavily on illegal mining Sources revealed the miners are doing mining under the garb of the ‘Jiska Khet, Uski Ret’ policy of the government. dents have been brought to my notice. I have asked SDMs and DSPs of the area to put an end to this menace. The Mining Department officials have been asked to keep an eye on places where people tend to enter the river bed with machines to dig out sand.” There was an upsurge of residents of Marara village when they learnt excavation was going on in full swing. They gathered near the embankment and raised slogans. A local resident said, “Illegal mining over the last few years has meant that half a dozen villagers now face the threat of floods. The river has changed its course and there are chances that next time, during the rainy season, it may devour more lives and property.” Officials, however, claimed that Marara villagers were irked because overloaded mining trucks had damaged the link roads although there were no reports of mining taking place. Meanwhile, Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary has written to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to check this “nefarious practice”. “It is double-whammy. First the floods destroyed houses, crops and livestock. Now miners are damaging the ecosystem,” she said. The legislator has asked the authorities to register an FIR against the erring people. Ahead of Guru Teg Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniv, ‘Smart cities’ turned into ‘smart Mayor, MC Commissioner review progress of dev works dump yards’ by AAP: BJP Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 28 In view of the upcoming 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation has initiated a series of sanitation, development and beautification works around Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal, the revered birthplace of the ninth Sikh Guru. To review the progress of these preparations, Amritsar MC Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia and Commissioner Bikramjeet Singh Shergill on Monday visited the Guru Ka Mahal area, located in the heart of the walled city. During the visit, the Mayor and the Commissioner took stock of cleanliness condition, road repairs, illumination and façade improvement of adjoin- The Mayor (in blue shirt) along with other officials visit Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal area in Amritsar. ing buildings to ensure that the area reflects the sanctity and significance of the occasion. They interacted with field officials and directed them to expedite ongoing works so that all arrangements are completed well before the commemorative events. MC Commissioner Shergill instructed the departments concerned to maintain strict cleanliness standards and ensure proper waste disposal during the celebrations. He said the focus is on enhancing the spiritual and aesthetic atmosphere of the surroundings to provide a pleasant experience for devotees and visitors. The Mayor said all efforts are being undertaken with full dedication to pay a fitting tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur, who laid down his life for the cause of religious freedom. “The area holds immense historical and spiritual significance and it is our responsibility to preserve its sanctity while preparing for this momentous occasion,” he added. Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh and senior officials of the municipal corporation accompanied the team during the inspection. Gurdwara Sri Guru Ka Mahal Sahib holds a special place in c m y b Sikh history. In 1621, it was here that Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was born to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib and Mata Nanki. His childhood name was Tyag Mal, and he was the youngest among five brothers, Baba Gurditta, Baba Suraj Mal, Baba Ani Rai and Baba Atal Rai and one sister, Bibi Veero. After the battle of Kartarpur against Painda Khan, his remarkable courage and mastery with the sword earned him the name ‘Tegh Bahadur, ’ meaning ‘Brave of the Sword’. The historic house, now sanctified as Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal Sahib, continues to draw thousands of devotees every year, and the upcoming martyrdom anniversary is expected to witness large congregations and devotional programmes. Tribune News Service Pathankot, October 28 Raising concerns over the growing pollution caused by garbage burning in Punjab, state BJP working president Ashwani Sharma launched an offensive on the AAP government, saying that instead of cleaning the state in two years, the state government had turned Punjab into a hub of toxic smoke. “Cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Phagwara, Nawanshahr, Mohali, Kharar and Tarn Taran are witnessing poor air quality. However, the government remains in a slumber. People are gasping for breath while the environment ministry and the municipal cor- ‘GOVT IN DEEP SLUMBER’ ■ Cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Phagwara, Nawanshahr, Mohali, Kharar and Tarn Taran are witnessing poor air quality. However, the government remains in a slumber. People are gasping for breath while the environment ministry and the municipal corporation (MC) remain indifferent,” poration (MC) remain indifferent,” he said. Sharma said the garbage collection system in cities had collapsed. “Owing to mismanagement and a lack of planning by municipal bodies, garbage is burnt in open fields. This is releasing carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases into the air harming the health of children, old and the infirm,” he added. Sharma added that the cities which the AAP govern- ment had promised to turn into ‘smart cities’ have today become “smart dump yards’ filled with “Smart Smoke.” He demanded that the government must hold all municipal corporations and panchayats accountable for waste management and form a “Waste Management Task Force” in every district. He said this wave of pollution is affecting people’s lives, and the government must be held accountable for it.