01112026-LT-01.qxd 10/31/2026 11:56 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SAD WILL WAIVE TAXES ON FOOD PROCESSING UNITS: SUKHBIR NAV-TRINJAN REVIVES PUNJAB’S FADING HANDLOOM HERITAGE DIWAN MANNA’S ART GIVES VOICE TO THE MARGINALISED Sukhbir Badal says Samrala has potential for food processing, particularly maize, potatoes and peas. P2 Featured in PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat, Nav-Trinjan is working to revive Punjab’s traditional handloom heritage. P3 Photographer Diwan Manna has received the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi’s first Lifetime Achievement Award. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 31°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN17°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.38 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:42 AM SUNDAY | 1 NOVEMBER 2026 | LUDHIANA TACKLING BUDDHA NULLAH POLLUTION CM Mann forms 10-member committee under Seechewal SukhpreetSingh INDUSTRIALISTS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON PANEL Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann has constituted a 10member committee under the chairmanship of Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal to find a solution to the pollution of the Buddha Nullah. The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, which was attended by senior officials of various departments, including the Municipal Corporation, district administration and police, along with representatives of dairy owners from Tajpur Road and Hambran Road and other industry stakeholders. The Chief Minister directed the Secretary, Local Government, and other officials to work with the committee and prepare a comprehensive proposal to reduce pollution in the Buddha Nullah. The committee has been told to submit a detailed report within 15 days, suggesting practical measures to stop the discharge of untreated waste into the water body. The CM also directed officials to take strict action against The 10-member panel will include officials from various departments and industry stakeholders; report and action plan has been sought within 15 days Tajpur Road dairy owners and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following a call from the latter to discuss the pollution of the Buddha Nullah. those found violating pollution norms. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said, “The meeting was held under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He directed the officials to come up with proposals to reduce pollution in the Buddha Nullah within 15 days and submit a proper report. A committee of nine to 10 members has also been formed for the purpose.” Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal said the com- mittee would work towards finding a concrete solution to the pollution problem within 15 days. Meetings would be held regularly during this period to discuss the issue and finalise measures to control pollution in the Buddha Nullah. ~3.94-cr bridge proposal back on MC agenda Sukhpreet Singh TECH ISSUES PROMPT DESIGN CHANGES Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 A proposed Rs 3.94-crore bridge across the Buddha Nullah near Amrit Dharam Kanda on Tibba Road has run into technical hurdles, with the Municipal Corporation (MC) now placing a revised proposal before its Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC). The project, which was earlier proposed as a skewed bridge, requires changes in its structural design after a joint site inspection revealed that the actual conditions did not match the approved drawings. The discovery of remnants of an old abandoned bridge and an existing stormwater pipeline at the site has made the original design difficult to execute. According to the agenda documents, remnants of the old bridge were found at a depth of around 3.5 metres from the silted bed of the nullah and about seven metres from the proposed deck slab and surrounding roads. Their removal would require extensive excavation, while the restricted working space and concerns over the stability of the surrounding soil make pile foundations difficult. The officials also found that an existing stormwater pipeline was discharging into the Buddha Nullah at the The project, which was earlier proposed as a skewed bridge, requires changes in its structural design after a joint site inspection revealed that the actual conditions did not match the approved drawings. The discovery of remnants of an old abandoned bridge and an existing stormwater pipeline at the site has made the original design difficult to execute. << Buddha Nullah. FILE site, whereas the original drawings showed an open drain. The pipeline is understood to have been laid after the original bridge proposal was prepared. The file states that the skewed bridge cannot be executed in its present design without substantial modifications. Revised structural solutions have been sought to accommodate the existing infrastructure and actual site conditions. The project is being funded through Smart City funds transferred to the MC. The amended proposal, involving Rs 394.07 lakh, has been put up for consideration of the committee. The bridge proposal is among several civic develop- ment works listed in the agenda documents for the forthcoming F&CC meeting. These include a major road package worth Rs 6.40 crore in the South Assembly constituency, sewerage improvement works, installation of tubewells and a pilot project for integrated rainwater management. Rs 6.40-crore road package in South constituency. The largest road-related proposal is worth Rs 640.20 lakh under the MDF-3 grant. It covers roads in several areas of the South Assembly constituency, including the Shamshan Ghat road in Giaspura, Makkar Colony, Sukhmani Kanda, Swarn Palace Road, Oswal Public School Road and links of Daba Road. The proposal has been submitted for approval under the grant. The file notes that financial verification is not required under MDF-3, and the work has been forwarded for consideration of the F&CC. Rainwater management pilot project Another proposal seeks approval for an Integrated Rainwater Runoff Management System (IRRMS), estimated at around Rs 58.40 lakh. The project is proposed as a pilot initiative under the technical guidance of the Punjab Water Resources Development Authority (PWRDA). The file mentions continued on page 2 Strict checks ordered against illegal mining Jailed AAP leader to Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Policemen raid a godown in Khanna. Godown housing crackers illegally unearthed in Khanna Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 The Sadar Khanna police arrested a man after registering a case against a resident of Ikolaha village, Khanna, for allegedly selling fireworks without a valid licence or permit from a godown on Narainagarh Road. The accused was identified as Sahibdeen, said to cousin of Dilbar Mohd Khan, chairman of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee Minority Department. According to the FIR lodged late on October 29, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahinder Singh of the Sadar Khanna police station, along with constables Manjeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh and PHG Surinder Singh, was on patrolling and vehicle checking duty near the Iklaha bus stand when they got a tip-off that Sahibdeen was selling crackers from a godown on Narainagarh Road without any licence, permit or permission from the Additional Deputy Commissioner or the Punjab Government. Cops said the man was booked for act of selling firecrackers without the required Cops said 110 boxes of different brands seized ACCUSED HAS CRIMINAL HISTORY Accused Sahibdeen has a criminal history as he was booked in six cases in the past at various police stations in Khanna on different charges, including under Excise Act, theft etc. In some cases, he was acquitted of charges. authorisation under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant). The Khanna police said around 110 boxes of different brands were seized from the godown and same were seized by the police. Meanwhile, SSP Khanna Dr Darpan Ahluwalia said the police would continue to hold surprise checking if anyone was found selling or storing crackers without licence. The SSP said strict action would be taken for the non-compliance of the administration’s directions in this regard. Sources said after arresting the accused, he was given bail as the offence was bailable. Ludhiana, October 31 Following a tough stand adopted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court over illegal mining, strict instructions have been issued to all SDMs, XENs and the RTA to conduct surprise checking in the next three days and take stringent action against the perpetrators, including lodging of FIRs and impounding of vehicles involved in illegal mining. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain chaired a review meeting on mining activities in the district and directed that strict safeguards shall be implemented at every approved mining site to ensure that illegal min- ing is not carried out under the cover of authorised operations. The directions have been issued in compliance with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, with the objective of establishing a robust mechanism through which field officials of the civil administration and police shall be able to clearly distinguish authorised mining and transportation from illegal activities on the ground. Directions given The Deputy Commissioner directed that every tipper and trolley engaged in miningrelated transportation shall be fitted with a functional GPS device, and a complete list of all authorised vehicles shall be shared with the SDMs concerned and police stations. A copy of the valid approval letter shall be prominently displayed on the windscreen of every authorised vehicle. Transportation of mined material shall be permitted strictly along approved routes and only during prescribed working hours. Further, every mining site shall have a prominently displayed signboard mentioning the contractor’s name, approval number, validity period and permitted working hours. It was further directed that these safeguards shall be treated as mandatory enforcement requirements and not merely procedural formalities. Strict action Any vehicle found operating without GPS tracking or without the prescribed permission displayed, moving beyond approved routes or operating outside permitted hours shall be treated as a violation and shall invite strict action in accordance with the law. Duties of officials The Drainage-cum-District Mining Officer shall ensure that all prescribed safeguards are implemented at every mining site within seven days. The compliance report shall be submitted only after physical verification by the respective SDMs. Mining operations shall remain suspended until continued on page 2 contest from Ldh West Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 Jailed AAP minister Sanjeev Arora will contest the upcoming Assembly elections on the AAP ticket from the Ludhiana West constituency. The first list, released by the party, shows this major development. With Arora being the prominent contestant from Ludhiana West for 2027 elections, the constituency is now going to face tough competition, sources said. Meanwhile, Arora’s name in the first list has sent shock waves among many leaders and councillors in AAP who , were eyeing the ticket from the constituency. Many AAP leaders and councillors had started holding meetings with the residents, hoping they would get a ticket as Arora was jailed in a money-laundering case. The party has cleared all tickets for the constituencies in Ludhiana city. These include Sanjeev Arora from West, Ashok Prashar Pappi from Central, Madan Lal Bagga from North, Daljit Bhola Grewal from East, Kulwant Sidhu from Atam Nagar. The only ticket not declared from the city is that of South from where MLA is Rajinder Pal Kaur Chinna. There is continued on page 2 Rlys to run festival special trains to Saharsa, Darbhanga, Gaya, Kolkata Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 In view of the upcoming festivals and to ensure convenient travel for passengers, the Ferozepur division of Northern Railway will operate reserved festival special trains between Ludhiana and Saharsa, Darbhanga, Gaya and Kolkata, a railway official said. Train number 04656 Ludhiana-Saharsa-Ludhiana reserved festival special train will leave Ludhiana for Saharsa on November 6, 9 and 11 (three trips). It will depart Ludhiana at 5.35 pm and reach Saharsa at 11.50 pm the next day after a journey of 30 hours and 15 minutes. The return special, Train number 04655, will leave Saharsa for Ludhiana on November 8, 11 and 13 (three trips). It will depart Saharsa at 3.50 am and arrive in Ludhiana at 8.35 am after 28 hours and 45 minutes. These trains will halt at Dhandari Kalan, Sirhind, Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Burhwal, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria Sadar, Siwan, Chhapra, Sonpur, Hajipur, Shahpur Patoree, Bachwara, Barauni, Begusarai, Khagaria and Mansi in both directions. Train number 04662 will depart Ludhiana for Darbhanga on November 7, 10 and 11 (three trips) at 6.30 am and reach Darbhanga at 10 am the next day after 27 hours and 30 minutes. The return special, Train number 04661, will leave Darbhanga for Ludhiana on November 8, 11 and 12 (three trips) at 1 pm and arrive in Ludhiana at 5.10 pm after 28 hours and 10 minutes. Train halt stations will be Dhandari Kalan, Sirhind, Rajpura, Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Burhwal, Gonda, Basti, Khalilabad, Gorakhpur, Deoria Sadar, c m y b Passengers queue up at the Ludhiana railway station to buy tickets to reach their native places for Diwali. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Bhatni, Siwan, Chhapra, Sonpur, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur. A railway official further said that Train number 04664 will leave Ludhiana for Gaya on November 12 (one trip) at 6.30 am and reach Gaya at 8 am the next day after 25 hours and 30 minutes. The return special, Train number 04663, will depart Gaya for Ludhiana on November 13 (one trip) at 11 am and arrive in Ludhiana at 12.50 pm the next day after 25 hours and 50 minutes. It’s halt stations include Dhandari Kalan, Sirhind, Rajpura, Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahja- hanpur, Aalumnagar, Utraitia, Rae Bareli, Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh, Varanasi, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Bhabua Road, Sasaram and Dehri-on-Sone. Similarly, train number 04666 will depart Ludhiana for Kolkata on November 6 (one trip) at 6.30 am and reach Kolkata at 9.45 pm the next day after 39 hours and 15 minutes. The return special, Train number 04665, will leave Kolkata for Ludhiana on November 7 (one trip) at 11.50 pm and arrive in Ludhiana at 12.50 pm after 37 hours. It’s halt stations will be Dhandari Kalan, Sirhind, Rajpura, Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Burhwal, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura, Deoria Sadar, Bhatni, Siwan, Chhapra, Sonpur, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Bachwara, Barauni, Kiul, Jhajha, Jasidih, Madhupur, Chittaranjan, Asansol, Durgapur, Khana, Barddhaman, Bandel and Naihati. Railways requested the passengers to avail the facility of these festival special trains and make their journey smooth and comfortable, says Basant Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, Ferozepur.