23022026-LT-01.qxd 2/23/2026 12:31 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune ‘GANGSTER-STYLE’ VIDEO DARING COPS SURFACES ONLINE ACTOR-SINGER NICK JONAS RETURNS FOR JUMANJI 3 Video shows suspects brandishing weapons as a song promoting criminal culture is played in background. P2 He shared the news with fans via an Instagram reel, captioned, “We are back. Jumanji round 3.” P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 27°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 12°C SUNIDHI CHAUHAN STEALS THE SHOW IN CHANDIGARH SUNSET MONDAY 6:17 PM At Omaxe, New Chandigarh, thousands gather to witness Sunidhi Chauhan's India tour. P4 SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:54 AM » MONDAY | 23 FEBRUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA District reported over 13K TB cases in 2025 Patients await nutrition funds under scheme; NGOs step in to fill gap Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 22 The district had reported 13,235 fresh tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2025, a noticeable increase from the 12,000 cases recorded in 2024. While the Health Department is urging patients to seek timely treatment, many are struggling without the promised financial aid under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, which provides Rs 1,000 per month for nutrition support. Funds have not been released since March 2025, leaving thousands of patients in distress. District TB officer Dr Ashish Chawla said the rise in cases was partly due to intensified detection efforts. “We have introduced a new handheld device that can diagnose TB in less than one hour without a laboratory. Special drives were conducted in factories and several new cases were identified, particularly among migrant workers,” he said. However, Dr Chawla admitted that patients have not received nutrition funds since the start of the financial Funds have not been released since March 2025, leaving thousands of TB patients in distress. FILE RISE IN CASES DUE TO INTENSIFIED DETECTION: OFFICIAL District TB officer Dr Ashish Chawla said the rise in cases was partly due to intensified detection efforts. “We have introduced a new handheld device that can diagnose TB in less than one hour without a laboratory. Special drives were conducted in factories and several new cases were identified, particularly among migrant workers,” he said. year. “The scheme is jointly run with a 60:40 Centre-state split. As funds have not been released, we are taking help from NGOs to provide highprotein kits with pulses, eggs and bananas. Recovery depends on both medicine and food and we are trying to ensure no patient drops out of treatment,” he added. For patients, the delay has been devastating. Rakesh Kumar, a 45-year-old dailywage worker from Salem Tabri, said: “I was diagnosed in July. Medicines are strong but without proper food, I feel weak all the time. The doctor told me I would get Rs 1,000 every month but I haven’t received a single penny so far.” Another patient said she used to buy eggs and milk with the amount in the past but had not received money in her account for months. “I ask doctors every time I visit hospital but even they are not sure when the funds will be received,” she said. Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur emphasised that TB was curable if treated properly. “Unfortunately, many patients still rely on superstitions such as threads, charms or faith healing. It worsens their condition and increases the risk of spreading infection to family members. Treatment is free at government facilities. Hence, we urge patients to seek medical care without delay,” she said. Despite awareness campaigns, lack of nutrition support threatens recovery for thousands of patients. As NGOs step in to fill the gap, the delay in government funds continues to cast a shadow over Ludhiana’s fight against TB. c m y b Man found dead near Sidhwan canal Ludhiana, February 22 Panic spread in Model Town Extension, here, after the body of an unidentified man was recovered from the banks of the Sidhwan Canal here on Saturday night. After receiving information, the police reached the scene and took the body into custody. Police probe reports related to missing persons to trace kin The deceased has not been identified. The Model Town police said as per preliminary investigation, the deceased was around 35 years old and 5 feet 6 inches tall. He was wearing a red checkered shirt and blue pant. The police said the deceased had not been identified so far. The body was kept in the Civil Hospital mortuary for the next 72 hours for identification. If nobody will come to claim the body or it remain unidentified, the autopsy would be conducted. The police are also probing reports of missing persons in nearby areas and police stations to trace the deceased’s family. They said if anyone had any information about the deceased, contact the Model Town police station, here. — TNS Minister opens work on highway parking development project Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 22 In a step towards modern urban infrastructure and scientific traffic management, Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government Sanjeev Arora on Sunday formally opened the construction work of the pilot project for organised highway urban parking development in Ludhiana. Parking areas will be environmentally compliant, aesthetically integrated with the urban landscape and equipped with modern amenities ensuring safe, organised and efficient usage of space. The pioneering project is being executed by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a wholly owned subsidiary of the NHAI, and represents a firstof-its-kind model for optimised utilisation of spaces along and beneath elevated highways in congested urban corridors. The minister said: “The initiative will provide safe, organised and easily accessible parking solutions for daily commuters, shoppers and residents. It will significantly reduce roadside chaos, improve traffic discipline and enhance road safety across Minister Sanjeev Arora opens the work of the organised highway urban parking development project in Ludhiana. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS ■ Development of approximately ■ Creation of 14 750 organised car parking slots ■ Utilisation of underused spaces along and beneath elevated highway stretches ■ Completion timeline: 6 months ■ Model: Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) on lease basis ■ Concession period: 10 years ■ Estimated investment: ~7 crore architecturally designed parking zones on both sides of elevated road ■ Key locations include: Bharat Nagar Chowk to Sidhwan Canal (between main carriageway and service road); Beneath elevated corridor from Bharat Nagar Chowk to ISBT key corridors of the city.” He further highlighted that the project reflects a forwardlooking approach to urban planning by scientifically utilising idle urban spaces beneath elevated roads — an approach that can be replicated in other cities of the state and across the country. It was poised to become a national model for organised urban parking and efficient utilisation of highway-adjacent spaces, reinforcing Ludhiana’s position as a progressive and infrastructure-ready metropolitan hub, he said.