28122025-LT-01.qxd 12/28/2025 12:44 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune VEGETABLE GROWERS RUE ‘DIRT-CHEAP’ MARKET RATES SALMAN KHAN’S 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH ANURADHA’S NOVEL CAPTURES UNIVERSAL STRUGGLES WITH WIT Vegetable growers from Malerkotla alleged that successive governments have “failed” to resolve their issues. P3 The actor celebrated his 60th birthday at his Panvel farmhouse with kin, close friends and Bollywood stars. P4 Anuradha Marwah doesn’t believe in labels. The eminent author of four books has stayed true to her storytelling. P4 » » » FORECAST DENSE FOG MAX 20°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 5°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7:18 AM SUNDAY | 28 DECEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA MC plans to install 100 EV charging stations to boost green mobility City has witnessed a sharp rise in electric vehicle adoption, residents hail move Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 In a major push towards sustainable urban transport, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has unveiled a plan to install 100 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city under the public private partnership (PPP) mode. The initiative comes in response to the city’s rapidly growing EV population and aims to address the pressing need for reliable charging infrastructure. With over 60,000 registered electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, e-rickshaws and four-wheelers, Ludhiana has witnessed a sharp rise in EV adoption, driven by rising fuel prices and growing environmental awareness. However, lack of adequate charging stations has posed challenges for users, often leaving vehicles stranded A senior MC official confirmed that the proposal was ready for presentation before the F&CC. CONSTRUCTION OF E-BUS DEPOT SET TO BEGIN In a related development, construction of Ludhiana’s long-awaited ebus depot is also set to begin. Senior officials have approved the issuance of work orders to contractors. The existing depot on Hambran Road will be vacated and reconstructed over the next six months, further strengthening the city’s electric transport infrastructure. mid-route due to low battery. The MC’s new plan seeks to bridge the infrastructure gap and encourage more residents to switch to electric mobility. A senior MC official confirmed that the proposal was ready for presentation before the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC). Under the PPP model, the selected pri- In lap of nature vate firm would bear all installation and operational costs while the MC will provide space and facilitate permissions. The civic body would not incur any financial burden. A comprehensive survey will be conducted to identify strategic locations for the charging stations, focusing on high-traffic areas and market parking zones. Probable sites include Sarabha Nagar Market, BRS Nagar Market, Model Town Market and the MC’s multi-storey parking facility near Mata Rani Chowk. Residents have welcomed the move. Vyom Kumar, a city resident, said: “With skyrocketing fuel prices, EVs are becoming a necessary option. Even if charging comes at a cost, it’s still a good deal for users who need reliable access.” The MC believes the project will not only ease ATM looted on Kailash Road A farmer pedals through mustard fields amid morning fog on the outskirts of Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, December 27 An ATM of a private bank situated on Kailash Road under the Jodhewal Basti police station was looted by miscreants on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Though the police and bank officials are tightlipped about the incident and the money taken away from the machine, it is suspected that no armed guard was deployed at the ATM, main gate of which was open at the time of the incident. The police came to know Will 2026 witness flights taking off from Halwara international airport? Minister Arora, DC say flights will be operational from March 1 Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 The Halwara airport remained a dream in 2025 as it missed several deadlines and now it is awaiting clearance from the Department of Defence. Officials hope the airport will be functional by March 1 even as sarcastic posters about the delay are doing the rounds on social media. One such post reads: “Will Ludhiana get an international airport in 2026 — dream or reality?” The post comes as a sarcasm as the project has already missed nearly 12 deadlines after announcements of being “operational soon”. Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora, who was instrumental in speeding up the stalled works at the airport, told The Tribune that he had spoken to a senior official in the Defence Department in Delhi, where the proposal is pending. “Once the permission is granted, it will be a matter of a few days,” said Arora, adding that Air India had also given a clean chit for making the Halwara airport operational five days a week. FILE Air India had also given a clean chit for making the airport operational five days a week. “Though we want operations for seven days, it would require more trained staff. Initially, flights will operate five days a week,” he said. At the same time, the assurance by the Industry Minister and the Deputy Commissioner, Himanshu Jain have, provided a ray of hope to residents that flights would commuting for existing EV users but also incentivise new buyers, thereby promoting green mobility and reducing urban pollution levels. The plan aligns with broader goals of sustainable development and climate-conscious urban planning. In a related development, construction of Ludhiana’s long-awaited e-bus depot is also set to begin. Senior officials have approved the issuance of work orders to contractors. The existing depot on Hambran Road will be vacated and reconstructed over the next six months, further strengthening the city’s electric transport infrastructure. Together, the EV charging station rollout and ebus depot construction mark a significant step in Ludhiana’s transition towards cleaner and more efficient mobility. become operational from the Halwara airport by March. Ludhiana, being an industrial hub, has long needed an airport — a demand raised by industry bodies for several years. Most businessmen currently travel to Delhi by road or take flights from Chandigarh or Amritsar, making air connectivity from Ludhiana a long-pending demand of the industry. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said the training of security staff was also planned and it would be conducted soon. “Since all information is not shared with us either, once clearance is given by the defence authorities, it will take only a few days. The staff training will be held for about a week. We are hopeful that the airport will witness its first operational flight from early March next year itself,” he said. Meanwhile, the local industry has expressed hope that the airport would bring much-needed relief to Ludhiana residents. Industrialist Rahul Verma said it would save time, attract more buyers and encourage ease of doing business. At one point, an announcement was made that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would virtually inaugurate the Halwara airport on July 27, 2025. However, it too could not materialise as several works were still pending. c m y b Opposition questions timing of proposal to expand MC limits Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 27 The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has passed a proposal to expand its limits by including more than 110 surrounding villages in the General House meeting held on Friday. The move has sparked sharp criticism, with opposition councillors questioning the need when boundaries are already frozen for the next two years due to the upcoming Census. They argue that the proposal, pushed through by Mayor Inderjit Kaur amid uproar in the House, serves little immediate purpose and raises doubts about its timing and intent. Opposition councillors accused the Mayor of breaking her promise made during an all-party meeting, where she had assured that no such proposal would be brought forward. They objected to the inclusion of distant villages such as Dehlon, Lalton, Malakpur, Ladowal, Bajra, Jodhan and Baddowal, arguing that only nearby colonies should be added to the corporation’s jurisdiction. Congress leader Sham Sunder Malhotra announced that his party Says why it was passed when boundaries are already frozen for two years due to upcoming Census would send an objection letter to the state government against the move. The timing of the proposal has also raised questions. “From January 1, boundaries of all towns and villages will be frozen for Census operations, meaning no changes can be made for two years. With the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for 2027, the final decision on expanding Ludhiana’s limits will rest with the next government. Hence, where was the need for passing the proposal,” he said. At present, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation covers about 160 sq km. If the proposal is implemented, the area would expand nearly threefold to around 400 sq km. Officials argue that rapid urbanisation and growing populations in adjoining villages make expansion necessary, as many of these areas already function like urban colonies but lack access to municipal services. Mayor Inderjit Kaur defended the move, noting that similar proposals in 2009 and 2016 had failed. “This time the proposal has been passed. Expansion will increase the corporation’s income and assets,” she said. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal outlined financial benefits, stating that inclusion of 110 villages could generate Rs 9,000 crore in revenue over the next decade. He said land from panchayats would become municipal property, enabling the corporation to undertake major projects without delays after getting government approvals. Despite the passing of the proposal, the process remains lengthy. The plan must now be sent to the Local Bodies Department, then to the Director and Minister, before reaching the state government. With the Census boundaries frozen, no changes could take effect till at least 2028, leaving the final decision in the hands of whichever government comes to power after the 2027 elections, said a BJP councillor. Hence, the proposal passed would serve little purpose as no action could be taken right now, the councillor said. Youth dies of electrocution Our Correspondent The ATM looted by suspects on Kailah Road in Ludhiana about the incident after some passers-by noticed the broken machine and informed the officials concerned. — OC Ludhiana, December 27 A youth from the Dasehra ground area in Shimlapuri here was electrocuted when he was working atop an under-construction building at Sanghowal village in Ludhiana. Police officials, led by Subhash Raj, have initiated investigation in the sequence of events leading to the death of the victim, identified as Sanjit Kumar. Preliminary investigations revealed that the youngster had been laying the lintel along with his father. Sanjit got electrocuted after coming in contact with high-voltage cables crossing near the building SUICIDE BY BHUDAN FAMILY MEMBERS Kin seek arrest of suspects, gram sabha resolves to demand cancellation of case A gram sabha in progress at Bhudan village in Malerkotla. Mahesh Sharma Malerkotla, December 27 Three days after Inderpal Kaur, a widow, her minor son and her mother died by suicide at Bhudan village here, the police are on their toes handling the situation following registration of an abetment to suicide case against 10 persons, including mother-in-law of the widow. The bodies of the deceased are lying at the mortuary of the Civil Hospital, Malerkotla, as the complainant Kuldeep Singh, Inderpal Kaur’s brother, and his supporters have threatened that they would not cremate the bodies till all suspects were arrested. Residents of Bhudan village on the other hand were protesting to cancel the case, as according to them the suspects were not responsible for the death of the three victims. Inderpal Kaur, her mother Hardeep Kaur and nine-month-old son Jordan Singh had died by suicide by consuming some poisonous substance on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Inderpal Kaur had recorded a video, accusing 10 persons, including her mother-in-law Charanjit Kaur, before consuming the poisonous substance. Though the Sandaur police had registered an FIR against Charanjit Kaur and nine other persons on Wednesday, activists of various outfits, led by Inderpal’s brother Kuldeep Singh and BKU (Dakaunda) president Karamjit Singh Chhanna, organised a dharna opposite the Sandaur police station, demanding immediate arrest of all suspects. Villagers on the other hand have come to support the suspects and demanded cancellation of the case after conducting a probe into events leading to the tragedy. Led by sarpanch Satwinder Kaur, villagers organised a gram sabha on Friday and Saturday and resolved to take organised steps to seek justice for the suspects. They (villagers) gave a memorandum, demanding cancellation of the case to SP (D) Sat Pal Sharma, who assured of action according to law. and fell from the roof. He died when he was being taken to a local private hospital. Sanjit is survived by his expectant wife Manisha and a two-year-old son. The police have registered an FIR under Sections 289 and 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against his employers. Run over by bus, man succumbs to injuries Our Correspondent Raikot, December 27 A resident of Santokh Nagar here, who was run over by a private bus at a local bus stop on Saturday night, succumbed to Pankaj Paruthy, his injuries the deceased at a multispecialty hospital in Ludhiana on Saturday. The deceased, identified as Pankaj Paruthy (37), who was working with a private finance company of Ludhiana, was injured seriously after reaching the Raikot bus stop after he was hit by the private bus. He was run over by the bus when he tried to cross the road from the front side of the bus after getting off it and the driver, unaware of his presence, moved the vehicle. The city police, led by investigating officer Harpreet Singh, sent the body for a post-mortem examination to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, after registering an FIR against the unidentified driver of the bus.