31122025-CT-01.qxd 12/31/2025 12:52 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune UT ADMINISTRATOR PAYS SURPRISE VISIT TO GMCH-32 E-WASTE COLLECTION DRIVE IN CITY FROM JANUARY 3 SUNNY ATTENDS SCREENING OF DHARMENDRA’S FILM IKKIS UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria interacts with patients during a surprise visit to the GMCH-32. P3 Pollution control panel announces schedule of e-waste collection drive, which will begin on January 3. P3 Bollywood star Sunny Deol arrived at the venue looking emotional, yet he cheerfully posed for cameras. P4 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 312 PANCHKULA 363 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 15, 40, 46 Panchkula: Sector 25 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF DAIRY UNIT RAIDED AFTER COMPLAINTS Mohali: A joint team of the food safety wing and the police raided a dairy unit in Pabhat area of Zirakpur on Monday night and took samples following repeated complaints of “spurious milk products” being prepared there. TNS MAX 20°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 18.4°C | MIN 8.2°C SUNRISE THURSDAY 7.19 AM /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Two robbers strangle ex-AAG’s wife MC gets ~25 crore more from Centre to death in Mohali, servant detained in revised estimate CCTV captures suspects walking into Phase 5 house, exiting after 2 hours Ramkrishan Upadhyay Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune news service Tribune News Service WHAT’S ON PARTLY CLOUDY SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.33 PM » WEDNESDAY | 31 DECEMBER 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Chandigarh, December 30 The Municipal Corporation has got Rs 25 crores more for development works in the revised estimate. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria shared this while addressing a meeting of the MC General House here today. He also supported the proposal for increasing the Mayor's tenure, but cautioned against extending it for five years. He said he would meet the Union Home Minister on the issue if needed. He said there were some issues concerning the Manimajra 24x7 water supply pilot project and the pan city project, which needed to be sorted out by the MC. The Administrator praised Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and MC Commissioner Amit Kumar for raising the problems of city residents before him regularly. Kataria asked the councillors to work towards make the city number one in all areas. Highlighting the importance of efficient utilisation of grants, the Governor encouraged the adoption of innovative approaches in revenue generation while maintaining strict transparency and accountability. He underlined the need for proper Mohali, December 30 Two robbers reportedly strangled the wife of former Additional Advocate General (AAG) Krishan Kumar Goyal to death and fled with cash and other valuables from their house at Phase 5 here on Monday night. The police have detained a servant, suspecting his involvement in the crime. The deceased was identified as Ashok Goyal, 65. The incident occurred around 11.40 pm and came to light around 10 am on Tuesday when a domestic help entered the house and found the servant, Neeraj (25), tied to the dining table and all rooms ransacked, said the police. The house help noticed the body and informed the police. Senior police officials and a forensic team reached the spot and began an investigation. No other family member was present at the house and it was the servant who had opened the main gate of the house to let the two suspects enter the house, CCTV footage showed. The police have detained the servant for questioning. Neer- Forensic experts at the house where 65-year-old Ashok Goyal (inset) was found murdered in Mohali on Tuesday. aj was employed in the house for the past nine years. Goyal, an advocate of Debt Recovery Tribunal, is in Muscat where his daughter lives. He has an office on the first floor of the building. A case has been registered at the Phase 8 police station. SP (City) Dilpreet Singh said, “Prima facie, the woman was tied up and smothered to death with an intention of robbery. We are scanning the CCTV footage of the area which shows two suspects walking into the house.” The police said the two masked suspects remained inside the house for about two hours before walking out calmly. Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Deputy Mayor Kuljit Bedi and area councillor Kuldeep Kaur Kang also reached the house. Neighbours had gathered outside the house, expressing shock and disbelief. “Women are not even safe inside their houses now. It is height of lawlessness. There is no check on crime in the city,” Kang said. “The police are not able to control crime. It is time the CRPF personnel should be called in. Mohali is a city where majority of senior citizens live alone. The government and the police have completely failed to maintain law and order,” said Bedi. With 363 AQI, Panchkula fifth most polluted city in north India Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 30 The air quality in the city and the neighbouring Panchkula deteriorated today and were placed in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Panchkula was recorded at 363 at 7 pm, Placed in ‘very poor’ category, Chandigarh air quality little better making it the fifth most polluted city in the north India. Ghaziabad recorded the AQI of 396, Noida 383, Delhi 375 and Greater Noida 370. Meanwhile, the AQI at the Sector 25 air quality monitoring station in Chandigarh was 312. At Sector 53 unit, it was the lowest in the city at 218. Experts attributed the high pollution levels across the region to cold weather conditions, low wind speed, temperature inversion and the absence of rainfall, which together trap pollutants close to the ground. They further stated that high vehicular movement due on the yearend was another cause of the rise in pollution level. Shares Kataria in MC House meet, also backs raising Mayor’s term planning of community centres, based on area-specific requirements and population needs, so that facilities were created where they were genuinely required. Mayor Babla said it was due to the Governor's support and guidance that the MC was able to overcome the financial crisis. The MC has received Rs 190 crore from the Centre so far this year. She said the MC was planning to introduce single parking pass for residents by the next month. The monthly pass for four-wheelers will cost Rs 500 and for twowheelers Rs 250. Babla said the old water pipelines in the city were being replaced. Six new community centres would be renovated soon. The MC Commissioner placed the financial report before the Governor, explaining an improvement in the revenue collection. BJP councillor Manoj Sonkar, Sachin Galav of the Congress and Yogesh Dhingra of AAP also spoke on the occasion. Nominated councilor RS Bedi thanked the Governor for his support to the MC in overcoming the financial crisis. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria attends the MC House meeting on Tuesday. PHOTO: VICKY SEE ALSO P3 People sit around a bonfire in Chandigarh on a cold Tuesday evening. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Dense fog, thundershower to Tricity to ring in 2026 amid tight security welcome New Year in region Satinder Sartaaj’s live show tops New Year’s Eve buzz; over 1,000 cops to keep vigil in city Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 30 Dense to very dense fog continued to engulf parts of the Tricity for the second straight day on Tuesday, severely disrupting early morning visibility even as temperatures showed a marginal rise. A spell of thundershowers with lightning looms over the New Year period. In Chandigarh, the visibility dipped drastically to just 40 metres around 3 am, placing it in the very dense fog category, while foggy conditions of varying intensity prevailed across Mohali and Panchkula as well, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The fog remained persistent through the night and early morning hours, easing only briefly in the afternoon before returning after sunset. Over the past 24 hours, dense to very dense fog was observed for long durations, with calm winds and high moisture content creating ideal conditions for its sustenance. Relative humidity levels Weather Department issues yellow alert for today, tomorrow stayed elevated, ranging between 60% and 96% in Chandigarh, aiding the prolonged fog spell. No rainfall was recorded in the region. Despite the poor visibility, temperatures increased slightly. Chandigarh’s maximum temperature rose by about 1.7°C, settling at around 18.4°C, though it remained slightly below normal for this time of year. The minimum temperature increased by about 1°C to 8.2°C, continuing to stay above normal. Similar trends were seen across the Tricity, with nights remaining relatively warmer compared to seasonal averages. Within the broader region, the lowest minimum temperature was around 4°C at Gurdaspur, while the highest maximum touched about 22-24°C at places like Bhakra Dam and Mahendragarh. The IMD has issued a yel- low alert for the Tricity, forecasting dense fog at isolated places along with the possibility of thundershowers and lightning on Wednesday (New Year’s Eve) and Thursday (New Year’s day). The five-day outlook indicates partly to mostly cloudy skies with dense fog persisting, while maximum temperatures expected to hover around 19-20°C and minimums gradually dip from 8°C to around 6°C by the weekend. In contrast, nearby hill stations such as Shimla and adjoining mid-hill areas have reported clearer conditions with comparatively better visibility and cooler, crisper air, underscoring the sharp weather divide between the fog-choked plains and the hills just a few hours away. With calm winds, high humidity and stable atmospheric conditions expected to continue, residents have been advised to remain cautious during early morning and late-night hours, especially while driving. Chandigarh, December 30 The Tricity is all set to welcome 2026 with high-decibel celebrations and heightened security. Satinder Sartaaj’s live performance is emerging as the biggest highlight of the New Year eve festivities across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. From star-studded concerts and club countdowns to elegant hotel galas and members-only soirées, virtually every major venue across the region is decked for the night, while the police across the Tricity have rolled out elaborate law and order and traffic management plans. In Chandigarh, over 1,000 cops, excluding traffic and PCR staff, will be deployed under the supervision of 12 gazetted officers, 20 inspectors and 16 SHOs. Security arrangements include 18 outer nakas, 44 internal nakas and 16 joint traffic nakas, supported by six ASKA lights for night surveillance. Ten areas, including the Geri Route, Sector 17 Plaza, inner markets of Sector 22 and the Elante Mall belt, have c m y b VEHICLE-RESTRICTED ZONES To ensure safe and peaceful New Year’s Eve celebrations, the UT police have declared several vehicle-restricted zones from 9.30 pm on December 31 till 2 am on January 1. Residents accessing following stretches must carry a valid identity card and residence proof. ■ Inner market roads of Sectors 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Cops check vehicles at a naka in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, ■ Road in front of Leisure Valley, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Sector 10 POLICE ADVISORY ■ Inner roads of Sector 17 ■ Park vehicles only at designated ■ Drinking liquor in public places, ■ Inner roads of Sector 22 spaces; avoid footpaths, cycle creating noise pollution through vehicle exhausts and indulging in ■ Aroma light point to Small tracks and main roads Chowk, Sector 22 (near hooliganism will invite legal action ■ Special drive will be conducted dispensary) ■ Special drunken-driving nakas to be against traffic violations, with set up across the city, with surprise ■ Around Elante Mall, Industrial strict action, including possible checks through the night Area, Phase I suspension of driving licences been declared restricted vehicle zones. Fire tenders have been stationed at five locations with three hydraulic ladders on standby, while ambulances will be available at six points. Special women safety squads and lady-staff PCR vehicles will also be deployed, and a central reserve force will remain positioned at the Police Headquarters in Sector 9. Omaxe, New Chandigarh, will host a major live concert by Satinder Sartaaj and is likely to draw large crowds from the region. Forest Hill Golf and Country Club Resort in Karoran near Chandigarh is hosting the Sunburn Festival New Year’s Eve, while multiple resorts and venues on the city’s periphery are hosting openair concerts and festival-style events. Major clubs and pubs in Sectors 26 and 7, the Plaza area, Elante Mall and other nightlife hubs are hosting DJ nights, themed parties and midnight countdowns. Premier institutions such as the Chandigarh Club, Chandigarh Golf Club, Chandigarh Golf Association and other elite clubs are hosting special New Year’s Eve parties exclusively for members, their families and guests. Almost all leading five-star hotels, boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés and hangout spots across malls and busy markets in the Tricity have curated special New Year’s Eve menus, live music and countdown experiences. Among the hotel highlights, CITCO’s flagship properties — Hotel Mountview and Hotel Shivalikview — are hosting refined New Year eve celebrations with lavish buffet spreads, à la carte gourmet offerings and live music, along with special room packages and New Year breakfasts. Mohali and Panchkula police have also announced special deployment plans, with intensified security checks, drives against drunk driving and nakas to be set up at all strategic locations through the night to maintain law and order and ensure road safety. Police across the Tricity have appealed to revellers to cooperate with security arrangements, strictly avoid drunken driving and follow traffic advisories.