12102026-LT-01.qxd 10/11/2026 11:17 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune LALTON KHURD WOMAN MAKES HER MARK IN DAIRY FARMING NEED TO BALANCE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WITH RULE OF LAW NUSHRRATT BHARUCCHA ON ROAD TO RECOVERY Rupinder Kaur has transformed herself from a homemaker into a progressive dairy entrepreneur. P2 Unauthorised hoardings undermine civic order, public safety and secular values, say readers. P3 Actress shares first social media update after Bali accident, says ‘Picture abhi baaki hai...’ P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 21.6°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.56 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:22 AM » MONDAY | 12 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Rain, high-velocity winds threaten crops; farmers pray for clear skies DC holds meeting, directs officials to ensure no waterlogging in mandis Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Motorists cross a waterlogged stretch near SPS Hospital in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Giaspura stretch plagued by sewage overflow, waterlogging Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 11 A 1-km stretch of the service road from Monte Carlo towards SPS Hospital in the Giaspura area continues to trouble commuters, with sewage overflowing from manholes and accumulating on the road whenever it rains. The problem has persisted for years, causing traffic snarls and making it difficult for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders to cross the stretch. Commuters said even a brief spell of rain left the road covered with dirty water, forcing motorists to drive cautiously through the flooded stretch. The situation becomes particularly difficult for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians who struggle to cross the road without getting drenched in sewage water. The waterlogging also slows traffic movement, leading to long queues of vehicles on the busy road. The foul smell emanating from the stagnant water adds to the inconvenience of commuters, shopkeepers and roadside vendors. The stretch connects several industrial units to the city and provides access to SPS Hospital. The recurring problem has drawn complaints from residents and industrialists in the past as well, with concerns over damaged road, potholes and sewage overflow being raised repeatedly. Ramesh, a roadside vendor, said sewage from manholes frequently flowed onto the road, making it difficult for people to cross the stretch. “Manholes maintained by the Municipal Corporation often overflow, and the water spreads across the road. Industrial units are also situated along the stretch. Whenever the water flows back, a foul smell fills the area, making it difficult for commuters to cross the road and even for us to stand at our stalls,” he said. Area residents have also raised the issue of inadequate sewerage system along the road. Commuters said the problem was not limited to rainwater accumulation, as the black water appeared to contain sewage. They added that the authorities needed to identify the cause of the recurring sewage overflow and ensure that sewerage functioned properly. Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal blamed the alleged discharge of industrial effluents for the recurring problem. Continued on Page 2 Ludhiana, October 11 The lines by Punjabi poet Dhani Ram Chatrik, “Pakki kheti dekh ke, garb kare kisan, vaao chakkharh choliyan ghar aawe taan jaan”, meaning a farmer feels proud seeing his ripened crop in the fields, still the real joy comes only when it reaches safely without being destroyed by strong winds or rains, aptly reflected the mental state of farmers in this part of the region on Sunday. Three hours of rain accompanied by high-velocity winds gave farmers anxious moments with standing paddy crop yet to be harvested. Though farmers maintain that despite increase in the moisture content, not much loss has been caused to the standing crop, they are still praying for the rain to stop in the coming days. Raghbir Singh Benipal, a farmer leader, said dry weather was required for harvesting the mature paddy crop. “The rain should stop. Highvelocity winds will flatten the standing crop and it will become difficult to harvest the crop. Increased moisture content will also affect the grain colour,” he added. Another farmer, Jarnail Singh from Alamgir village, said the ‘1121’ variety of basmati had been affected as the crop was heavy and flattened easily, compared to the ‘126’ variety, harvesting of which Clockwise from above: A farmer prays for rain to stop; crops flattened by rain and wind; and a man covers paddy bags with tarpaulin sheets at the grain market in Ludhiana on Sunday. ASHWANI DHIMAN had already started. “The harvesting through combines will now be delayed by another 10 to 12 days till weather gets clear. The ‘1121’ basmati variety accounts for up to 15 per cent of the rice cultivation, and up to 60 per cent of the crop has been damaged,” claimed Jarnail Singh. Meanwhile, sever- al farmers visited fields and prayed for the rain to stop. Manpreet Ayali, a leader of Waris Punjab De, said he had visited Dakha and adjoining areas. Though there were losses, but the extent was not significant as of now. “Prayers are being offered for the rain to stop, as further rainfall could prove harmful to the crops,” said Ayali. In view of the inclement weather, which is likely to prevail for two to three days, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain held an emergency meeting with DFSCs and District Mandi officials. The DC directed arhtiyas at mandis and millers at mills to ensure that paddy was saved from the vagaries of rain. Proper drainage of water should be ensured at mandis by market committees to prevent waterlogging. “The SDMs have been asked to visit the mandis where impact of rain has been more and supervise the operations personally,” the DC added. Man held for sexually Villager arrested with 110 gm heroin, ICE Crackdown on black films, 374 vehicles fined assaulting infant Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 11 An 11-month-old infant was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Dehlon area of the city on Saturday. The accused, who lived in the neighbourhood, fled the spot after committing the crime. According to a police complaint lodged by the infant’s father, his wife had put their 11-month-old daughter to sleep inside the house and was working outside. Accused Sanjay Kumar, aged around 35, who lived in a rented room in the neighbourhood, allegedly entered the house. The complainant added that a short while later his wife heard the infant crying. As she went inside, she saw the accused running out of the house. She found her daughter smeared with blood and her clothes pulled down. The Dehlon police registered a case against Sanjay Kumar on the basis of the father’s complaint. The police said the accused was a resident of Purnia district in Bihar. Investigating officer ASI Gurmeet Singh said after registering a case, the accused was arrested by the police and an investigation had been launched. — TNS Ludhiana, October 11 Under the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the Ludhiana police on Saturday arrested a drug peddler and recovered 110 gm of heroin, 61 gm of ICE and Rs 5,000 drug money. Acting on the directions of Commissioner of Police Swapna Sharma, a team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Gursewak Singh Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-4) Jashandeep Singh Gill, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Industry Area-A) Inderjeet Singh and A drug peddler in custody of the police in Ludhiana on Sunday. Koom Kalan SHO Dalvir Singh, along with SI Surjit Singh (in-charge, Katani Kalan police post), intercepted the accused at a naka on October 10. The police arrested Karnvir Singh, alias Angrez (23), a resident of Chhandra village, who was travelling in a whitecoloured Hyundai i20 car (CH01-AK-1921). The police recov- ered the contraband, cash, plastic pouches and an electronic weighing scale from the car. A mobile phone was also seized and the car was impounded. A case under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act was registered against the accused at the Koom Kalan police station. During preliminary interrogation, it emerged that Karanvir was already facing a case registered on January 16, 2025, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the same police station. The police will produce the accused in a court to seek remand for further interrogation to unearth his possible links with drug network. Dist admn seeks postponement of SARAS Mela, change in venue Anil Datt Ludhiana, October 11 Taking note of the concerns raised by sports enthusiasts and players over the use of playgrounds at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the upcoming Ajieevika SARAS Mela, scheduled from October 27 to November 5, the district administration has sought its postponement and shifting of the venue for the much-awaited event. In a communication to the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayats Department, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development)-cum-Mela Officer said PAU’s mid-semester exami- nations and annual youth festival, scheduled from October 30 to November 6, could disrupt academic activities. The administration has sought more time to identify a suitable alternative venue with adequate parking, security, sanitation, electricity and other essential facilities. The proposed postponement and the change of venue are subject to approval by the competent authorities. The decision follows a report published in The Tribune on October 9 highlighting apprehensions among members of the sporting fraternity in particular, and students, and teachers in general over the use of the university’s playing fields The Ajeevika SARAS Mela at the PAU grounds. for a major public event. Sports enthusiasts and players had expressed concern that hosting the fair on the grounds could disrupt sporting activities and deprive players of access to FILE PHOTO valuable playing space. It was also noted that the earlier functions held at the university campus — the Diljit Dosanjh show last year and the Jashan-e-Inquilab function to c m y b celebrate the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh this year — had left the playfields in a bad shape, forcing the players to reschedule their training sessions for several days. Representations were made to the district and university authorities to shift the SARAS Mela to an alternative venue. The development has brought relief to members of sporting fraternity and others, who had expressed apprehensions that holding a large public event on the playfields could damage the infrastructure, besides disrupting the academic activities. The development also underscores the importance of public feedback and responsible administration in resolving issues involving sports infrastructure. “For PAU’s students and sporting community, the proposal to relocate the SARAS Mela is a welcome development that reinforces the need to preserve valuable sports infrastructure,” remarked a student. “While cultural fairs and public events provide opportunities to promote rural crafts, traditional products and local entrepreneurship, such events should be organised in a manner that does not compromise the interests of students and sportspersons,” said BS Walia, president, PAU Employees’ Union. A cop removes a black film from a car during a special drive. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 11 The Ludhiana traffic police have intensified their campaign against drunken driving and the use of black films on vehicles. Senior officials led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jatin Bansal have been leading the nakas at strategic points to catch the violators. As per the data shared by the traffic police, 48 challans were issued for drunken driving under the special drive from October 1 to October 9. The challans were issued during late evening nakas set up at various places in the industrial town. Sources said the police have been setting up drunken driving nakas on Friday and Saturday in main city markets and strategic places near the prominent restaurants and bars. A police official said whenever any driver was found driving under the influence of liquor, the police immediately issued a challan. In rare cases, the police issue warnings to some drivers and let them go, the official added. ACP Bansal said apart from drunken driving, the traffic police had also been taking strict action against the use of black films. “From October 1 to 9, as many as 374 challans for the use of black films have been issued. The use of black films on cars is totally illegal and offenders will not be allowed to flout the rules,” added the ACP . ACP Bansal said the drive against the use of black films and drunken driving will be intensified in the coming days. Awareness drives will also be organised in public places and educational institutions to sensitise people. A special team has been formed for holding the awareness campaign to educate people about traffic rules and messages are also being shared on the official social media handles of the Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana.