19072026-LT-01.qxd 7/18/2026 10:29 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HEALTH DEPT STEPS UP EFFORTS AS MALARIA, DENGUE CASES SURFACE A SOULFUL VOICE THAT CAPTIVATED MILLIONS OF HEARTS SHAKIRA, BURNA BOY REHEARSE FOR SUNDAY’S FIFA FINAL EVENT In view of the rainy season, the Health Department has intensified its special antidengue campaign across the district. P2 S Janaki adapted herself to every shade of character & emotion, making her one of the most multifaceted singers. P3 Shakira and Burna Boy come together to fine-tune their performance before Sunday’s showpiece event. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 30°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.29 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5:36 AM SUNDAY | 19 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA 2 months on, city awaits start of work on ~165-cr road project Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 18 Nearly two months ago, a Delhi-based private firm emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder for Ludhiana’s ambitious Rs 165crore world-class roads project. However, the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, is yet to issue the work order, leaving the flagship road infrastructure project shrouded in uncertainty. The project, which aims to upgrade nearly 15.4 km of major city roads with modern infrastructure, was initially being executed by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB). According to information, after the financial bids were opened, a Delhi-based company emerged as the L1 bidder by quoting rates more than 100 per cent above the estimated cost. The matter was subsequently referred to the Local Government Department, which later transferred the project to the Municipal Corporation for further examination. Despite the L1 bidder MUCH-AWAITED UPGRADE The project aims to upgrade nearly 15.4 km of major city roads with modern infrastructure ■ A Delhi-based company emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder even as it quoted rates more than 100 per cent above the estimated cost ■ Despite the L1 bidder having been finalised around two months ago, the civic body has not issued the work order ■ The project has been divided into three packages, covering some of the city’s busiest roads ■ having been finalised around two months ago, the project has not moved forward as the civic body has not issued the work order. Instead, the MC has initiated a fresh review of the project and is examining the detailed project reports (DPRs), cost estimates and other technical aspects before taking a final decision. The project has been divided into three packages, covering some of the city’s busiest roads. Package-I, estimated at Rs 65.19 crore, includes the 4.38-km stretch from Sherpur Chowk to Jagraon Bridge. PackageII, worth Rs 48.85 crore, covers Jagraon Bridge to Old Sabji Mandi, Chaura Bazaar to Ghas Mandi, the road outside CMC Hospital, Preet Palace to Durgi Deep pits from ‘illegal excavation’ pose risk to road, railway line Residents say soil erosion in monsoon can spell trouble Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 18 Deep pits allegedly caused by illegal soil excavation along a road and a railway line in a residential scheme have caused safety concerns among residents, who have urged the district administration to take immediate action at the earliest. Highlighting the pits in the land under the colony in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, residents say soil erosion caused by monsoon rains could spell trouble for the road as well as the railway line, weakening their foundations. According to the information available, the Ludhiana Improvement Trust handed over the 475-acre scheme to the Municipal Corporation (MC) on April 1 this year. Raising the issue, social activist Arvind Sharma claimed several deep pits had been dug along the railway line in front of Block D and Bhai Daya Singh Hospital, posing a risk to pedestrians and motorists. Tarsem Singh Bhinder, Chairperson, Ludhiana Improvement Trust, said, “I will direct the officials concerned to check the spot and fill the pits so that they do not pose a safety risk to commuters.” According to Sharma, the illegal excavation had continued unchecked even after the land transfer, leaving behind dangerous pits close to the recently reconstructed road and the railway line. He said the situation could worsen with the onset of the monsoon as the pits were likely to be filled with rainwater, making them difficult to spot and increasing the chances of accidents. Sharma pointed out announcements made by Local Bodies Minister Harjot Singh Bains during a recent visit to the city, where he said the city would be made pothole-free before June 30. He said the existence of such hazardous pits in one of the city’s prominent residential localities posed questions over public safety and the implementation of the government’s assurances. Demanding immediate action, Sharma urged the district administration to conduct an inquiry into the illegal excavation and sought the examination of footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area to identify those responsible. He appealed to the authorities to fill the pits without delay and restore the site to prevent any untoward incidents. Residents of the area said the road is frequently used by walkers, cyclists and commuters, and expressed fear the pits could become a major safety hazard during rains. Dug-up area near the railway line at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, which poses risk to commuters. Canal bridge and Field Ganj to Brown Road. Package-III, estimated at Rs 48.91 crore, includes Fountain Chowk to Bharat Nagar Chowk, Fountain Chowk to Aarti Cinema, the road outside DMC Hospital and Gill Canal Bridge to Gill village chowk. The Local Government Department decided that the project should be reviewed by the Municipal Corporation before any further action was taken. Following this, the civic body constituted a committee headed by Joint Commissioner Vineet Kumar to examine the detailed project reports, project estimates and other related documents. Municipal Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar confirmed that the project was under review. “We are examining the facts and figures of the project. A committee has been formed in this regard and it is studying all aspects, including the DPRs. The committee will submit its report soon, after which a decision will be taken,” said Alankar. Man arrested for harassing schoolgirl Ludhiana, July 18 A man was arrested for allegedly harassing a schoolgirl in Gill village, the police said. The accused allegedly touched the victim inappropriately in public. According to the allegations, a couple of schoolteachers were present at the spot at the time of the incident. The police said the suspect appeared to be mentally unstable. The accused was apprehended by Youth Congress leader Gautam Sharma and handed over to Marado police post. He was also allegedly thrashed by the public. Gautam Sharma said the incident occurred around 12.30 pm when he was passing from Gill village in his car. He claimed he saw a man, believed to be in his 40s, harassing the girl and didn’t stop even as she protested. The student was returning from school. “Two schoolteachers were also present when the incident occurred. A friend and I cornered the man and informed the police. As the police took him into custody, I urged the investigating officer to register a case. However, he showed a reluctant attitude in keeping the accused at the police post. Later, the girl recorded a statement with the police station official and I submitted my version,” he added. Sharma claimed that he had informed the Sadar Station House Officer (SHO). He warned of a protest if a case was not registered without delay. Sub-inspector Tarsem Singh, in-charge, Marado police post, said the suspect was mentally unstable and was detained at the police post. Further action would be taken after getting necessary directions from the senior officers, he added.— TNS c m y b Govt schoolteacher booked for thrashing Class IV student Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 18 After a Class IV student was allegedly beaten with a stick at a government school in Ludhiana recently, the Division No. 4 police station yesterday registered a case against the schoolteacher and launched an investigation. The student’s mother in her complaint had stated that she was allegedly subjected to casteist abuse and threatened with false charges. She further said that the child had been beaten so severely by the class teacher that he was now terrified and afraid to go to school. The child’s mother, Preeti, a resident of Saida Chowk, said that her son Luv Chandla studied in Class IV at the Government Primary School in Brahmapuri. On April 22, the class in-charge, Rinku Rani, allegedly beat her son with a stick. After the incident, the child became frightened and his health deteriorated. When asked why he was so frightened, he told his parents that he had been beaten by his class teacher, Rinku Rani, revealed the mother. According to Preeti, on April 23, she arrived at the school with her husband Gagan Chandla, and tried to confront the teacher about the matter. During this incident, the teacher allegedly shouted at them, told them to leave the school and misbehaved with them. She also allegedly used casteist slurs against them and claimed that she had access to certain political leaders and senior officials. Meanwhile, sources said the family had also lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, which subsequently directed the police to register a case. Moudgil new Ludhiana BJP unit president Ludhiana, July 18 Sunil Moudgil, a councillor from Ward No. 62 has been appointed as district president of Ludhiana BJP (Urban) on Saturday. He replaces Rajnish Dhiman, who remained district president for more than three years. This development came a day after PM's visit to Punjab. Apart from Ludhiana, several district presidents in the district were replaced by the BJP high command. As per sources, Dhiman was to be retained as district president till Assembly polls, but the development has come as surprise for the city leadership. — TNS 4 booked for holding man hostage, demanding ~20L Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 18 The Ludhiana police have registered a case against four persons on the charges of illegally detaining a man and demanding Rs 20 lakh as extortion. Those booked have been identified as Ronak Singh, Prerna Jamwal and Shiv Krishan Sehgal, all from Sector 17, Chandigarh, and Divya Singh Jamwal, a resident of Dwarka, Delhi. Complainant Vikram Singh, a resident of Abohar, told the police that on July 12, he lodged a police complaint stating that on June 13, he received a WhatsApp call from the aforementioned persons, who asked him to reach Hambran Road with the said amount. On June 17, he along with his driver, was travelling in a vehicle when the accused stopped him on the Verka Milk Plant road. “I was taken out of the vehicle and held hostage by the accused. They asked me to withdraw the complaint I had filed against them and also demanded Rs 20 lakh, failing which they threatened to kill my family,” alleged the complainant in the FIR on Friday. He was reportedly released after two hours. SHO, Sarabha Nagar, Inspector Vijay Kumar said that the case was registered after an investigation by the crime wing, and the case file reached the police station yesterday. “We are yet to initiate further investigation and further action will be taken as per law. No accused has been arrested in the case so far,” added the SHO. The complainant said that he would not comment on the case as the investigation was underway. He also did not reveal the exact motive behind the alleged crime.