03112022-CT-01.qxd 11/3/2022 12:52 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh TRIBUNE THURSDAY | 3 NOVEMBER 2022 | CHANDIGARH ON DAY 2, MC REMOVES WEB OF CABLES FROM MORE AREAS PAGE 2 Cables removed in Sectors 15-A, 20-A, 25, 26-C, 35-D, 37-A, 41-A, 44-D, 45-A and 47-A, Dhanas Milk Colony among others. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY TRICITY COVID REPORT CHD P’KULA MOHALI POSITIVE 99,305 48,408 1,01,125 RECOVERED 98,108 47,975 99,942 NEW CASES 6 3 2 ACTIVE 16 12 15 CHANGE 6 4 0 DEATHS 1,181 421 1,168 NEW 0 0 0 AIR QUALITY INDEX PANCHKULA 165 MOHALI 163 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF SEC 33 DOCTOR DUPED OF ~1.63L Chandigarh: A doctor has been duped of Rs 1.63 lakh by a fraudster. Complainant Dr Narinder Pal Singh of Sector 33 claimed Vishal Pandey introduced himself as business head of a pharma firm and made him transfer Rs 1.63 lakh on the pretext of participation in its medical conference in Dubai. The doctor later learnt no such conference was being organised and that the accused was not an employee of the firm. A case of cheating has been registered at Sector 34 police station. TNS ~32K, 2 CYLINDERS STOLEN IN SEC 35 Chandigarh: A theft was reported at a house in Sector 35. A woman in her complaint claimed around ~32,000 in cash, two gas cylinders and other household goods were stolen from her house. A case has been registered at the Sector 36 police station and investigation initiated. TNS Land under illegal occupation freed Mohali, November 2 Encroachments were removed from panchayat land in Mohali block today. Mohali BDPO Praneet Kaur said she, along with Naib Tehsildar Arjun Singh Grewal, got encroachments on 7 kanal 3 marla panchayat pond removed at Sukhgarh gram panchayat. The land was freed of illegal possession. Due to illegal occupation, water used to enter houses during rains. By clearing the pond area, villagers would not face further trouble, said the BDPO. She added 10 acres owned by Tangori gram panchayat where a plant was located earlier was also got vacated. — TNS Punjab’s Kritika Sharma registers a comeback win to topple the top seed in a girls’ U-14 quarterfinal match. SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:38 AM FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Naina Mishra Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 2 Looking to bolster connectivity with neighbouring states, the UT Transport Department plans to double its services on certain long-route sections by procuring 60 more non-AC diesel buses. This is in addition to 40 AC buses being added to its long-route fleet. The department had sought funds from the UT Administration for the procurement of 60 new buses, said Pradhuman Singh, Director, Transport Department. As soon as the funds were approved, the process for purchase would start, he said, adding they were planning to purchase the buses by 2023 so that better transport facilities could be provided to people on long routes at reasonable rates. He said the department had permits for several states and the timings of the buses had also been finalised. “Now, we only have to buy new buses,” he said. After the arrival of buses, routes of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) to cities in other states would double, saving people the ordeal of waiting for long periods to board a bus. The facilities in these buses would also LONG-ROUTE FLEET Existing Non-AC (New) AC (New) Total 167 60 40 267 With more buses coming in, frequency of service on profit-making routes will be increased. PRADEEP TEWARI 40 MORE EQUIPPED WITH AC ON WAY 40 20 20 buses equipped with HVAC (heating, ventilation and airconditioning) system being added to long-route fleet HVAC buses have already arrived, while tender has been floated for the remaining buses, to be bought by Dec-end buses to ply to Jaipur, Fatehabad, Jhajjar, Pathankot, Abohar, Batala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Haridwar, Katra, Shimla, Manali be better than the older ones. The department wanted to add the buses to the existing fleet of 167 on profit-making long routes. The number of buses plying on certain profitable sections would be doubled. The department was further adding 40 new buses equipped with HVAC (heat- ing, ventilation and air-conditioning) system to its existing long-haul fleet, said the Transport Director. As many as 20 buses had already arrived and would soon be flagged off by UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit to ply on long routes. A tender had been floated for TIMINGS FINALISED ❝We have permits and timings of new buses have been finalised. Now, we only have to buy new buses. ❞ Pradhuman Singh, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT DEPT the remaining 20, which would be procured by the end of December. The department is planning to run these 20 HVAC buses on the Jaipur (Rajasthan); Fatehabad and Jhajjar (Haryana); Abohar, Batala via Dera Beas, Pathankot, Amritsar and Continuned on page 2 Chandigarh, November 2 Cases of Covid-19 have started declining in the city with no fresh infection being reported over the past two consecutive days. However, the city reported six fresh cases on Wednesday, with a positivity rate of 1.14 per cent. In October, as many as 95 Covid cases were recorded in the city, a 75% decline in comparison to the previous month, when 387 cases were reported. The average number of cases reported in the past week stands at two and the average positivity rate remains 0.90%. The overall positivity rate of the city is 7.49% with 99,305 positive cases, against 13,25,272 samples tested. Prof PVM Lakshmi, Department of Community Medicine, PGI, says: “Covid-19 has become endemic as it is now circulating internally, but the present strain is less severe. We need to keep an eye on any emerging severe strain that can cause serious infection in the community.” Dr Suman Singh, Director Health Services, Chandigarh, says there is nothing severe about Covid now and that it has turned into an endemic. “For now, it appears there is no Covid scare as the cases being recorded in the recent past are negligible. It is clear SARS-CoV2 SOMEWHAT CONTAINED While the call on pandemic largely based ❝the global scenario, it can beisconfidently said on Sars-CoV2 has become endemic in India. ❞ Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, EPIDEMIOLOGIST NO SCARE, BUT KEEP TABS ON STRAIN it there is no Covid ❝For now,hasappearsinto endemic, butscare. It is clear Covid turned a lot depends on which strain is circulating in country. ❞ Dr Suman Singh, DIRECTOR, HEALTH SERVICES, UT 6 INFECTED IN UT CHANDIGARH: The city reported six cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday. No patient recovered from the disease. There was no fresh fatality due to the virus during the past 24 hours. The active case count rose to 16. TNS 2 CASES IN MOHALI MOHALI: Two fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported from the district during the past 24 hours. While two patients were cured of disease on Wednesday, there was no new fatality. The number of active cases remained unchanged at 15. TNS THREE TEST POSITIVE IN PANCHKULA PANCHKULA: Three persons were found infected with Covid19 in the district on Wednesday. There was no fresh fatality, while seven patients defeated the virus during the past 24 hours. The number of active cases dropped to 12. TNS Covid-19 has turned into endemic, but a lot depends on which strain is circulating in the country,” says Dr Singh. “While the pandemic will be considered based upon the global situation, it can be confidently said Sars-CoV2 has become endemic in India. There is a sustained Sars Covid-19 circulation and Continuned on page 2 Gang making fake P’kula dist sees 86.7% turnout Treetops chopped at Chhat, residents fume RCs busted, 4 held PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Zirakpur, November 2 The Mohali police have arrested four members of an interstate gang allegedly involved in preparing fake registration certificates (RCs) of vehicles. As many as 32 RCs were recovered from the suspects. The four suspects along with two others were booked under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of Arms Act at the Zirakpur police station on October 21. Hanumangarh native Hira Singh, currently staying at Kharar, and Almora (Uttarakhand) native Harish Singh Mehra were arrested from Zirakpur lights points. While 14 fake RCs were recovered from Hira, five were seized from Harish. During the course of investigation, Surinder Singh, alias Sindhu, was arrested from Guru Nanak Colony, Sangria, Gaurav Kanthwal 32 forged registration certificates seized; hunt on for 2 others INTERSTATE RACKET ■ On October 21, two suspects, one from Rajasthan and another from Uttarakhand, nabbed from Zirakpur, 19 RCs seized from them ■ On probe, a suspect nabbed from Sangria (Rajasthan) and seven fake RCs recovered; another is held on October 26 and six RCs seized from him Rajasthan, on October 24 and seven fake vehicle RCs were recovered from him. On October 26, Lakhwinder Continuned on page 2 Panchkula, November 2 The four blocks of Panchkula district witnessed 86.7% polling for elections to 118 sarpanches and 105 panches today. A total of 1,02,178 voters of the total 1,17,793 exercised their franchise in the panchayat elections in all four blocks. The highest polling was witnessed in Morni block (88.6%), followed by Pinjore (87.5%), Barwala (86.1%) and Raipur Rani block (85.9%). Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Mahavir Kaushik said the voting process in all four blocks passed off peacefully. He said elections were to be held for 135 sarpanches in the district, out of which 15 were elected unanimously, while no nomination was received for two. Similarly, of the 1,026 panches in the district, 852 were elected unanimously, while no nominations were received for 69. Tribune News Service People queue up at a polling station during sarpanch and panch elections at Bunga village, Panchkula, on Wednesday. RAVI KUMAR MORNI LEADS PACK BLOCK Morni Pinjore Barwala Raipur Rani %AGE 88.6 87.5 86.1 85.9 He said polling was held for 118 sarpanches and 105 panches, including 37 sarpanches and 25 panches in Pinjore division, 19 sarpanches and 1 panch in Morni block, 23 sarpanches and 34 panches in Barwala block and 39 sarpanches and 45 panches in Raipur Rani. A total of 166 polling booths were set up in the district where polling was conducted from 7 am to 6 pm. In the morning, the DC and Deputy Commissioner of Police Surender Pal Singh visited polling stations and took stock of the election process there. Kaushik said a sufficient number of police personnel were deployed outside each polling station to maintain law and order. The election to the post of sarpanch was conducted through EVM and for panch through ballot paper. Soon, weddings at city community centres to be green affair Sandeep Rana MC’s ‘ZERO WASTE, PLASTIC-FREE’ PUSH Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 2 Weddings and other social events at community centres in the city will soon see minimal waste amid plastic-free setting with the Municipal Corporation pushing for adopting green measures. The MC authorities have decided to reach out to event organisers and guide them about measures to be adopted to ensure zero waste and discourage use of plastic. In this regard, the civic body is reaching out to those booking community centres for various events. TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD CTU plans to purchase 60 Infection waning, Covid buses forsome sections | Funds sought from admn turns endemic: Experts outstation routes To double service on Tribune News Service 157 SUNSET THURSDAY 5:34 PM PAGE 3 PUNJAB’S KRITIKA LOGS WIN, MAKES IT TO TENNIS SEMIS As many as 25 teams from across the nation invited to participate in the Administrator’s Challenge Cup. MAX 29°C | MIN 17°C | YESTERDAY MAX 29.9°C | MIN 17°C DushyantSingh Pundir CHANDIGARH PAGE 3 UT TO HOST ADMINISTRATOR’S CHALLENGE CUP FROM NOV 21 ■ MC is reaching out to those booking community centres for events to adopt measures to ensure zero waste, no use of plastic items ■ Aim is to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, besides prompt collection and 100% scientific processing of garbage generated ■ This is in line with the 2023 Swachh Survekshan and will play a major role in improving the rankings of the city SUGGESTIONS TO ORGANISERS ■ Online invite to guests ■ No plastic bottles, wrapping, etc ■ No flex posters for event info MC organised a ‘zero waste’ wedding at a community centre recently. The organisers are being encouraged to follow certain standard operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in this regard. To this effect, the MC did handholding by organising a “viable, replicable and scalable zero waste” wedding of a ■ Only natural flowers for decoration Khuda Ali Sher resident, Manjeet Kaur, at a community centre two days ago. “Public events pose a challenge in terms of generating c m y b ■ Stainless steel cutlery sourced from MC’s ‘bartan bhandar’ ■ Green/blue bins at easily accessible locations substantial quantities of waste and its subsequent disposal. This can be managed through use of environmentally friendly products/items and easy access to waste disposal facilities at such events,” says MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra. The initiative in also in line with the 2023 Swachh Survekshan and will play a major role in improving city’s rankings. The issue of disposal of garbage and plastic material at community centres remains a challenge for the civic body. Once an event is over, garbage is usually not removed immediately. The corporation is now trying to ensure instant removal and scientific processing of all types of garbage. Zirakpur, November 2 Residents of Chhat village and nearby areas have accused Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) of mindlessly chopping off treetops and carrying out heavy pruning to lay a new power line to Chhatbir Zoo. Residents say the PSPCL staff have reduced trees along the road to stumps, leaving behind fallen branches, posing a serious risk to the lives of commuters. They claim the Forest Department and authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to gross violation of conservation guidelines. “This is clearly not pruning. At most places, the PSPCL has removed treetops, while at others, they have left not even a single leaf on the tree. Mindless destruction can be seen on the entire 2 km stretch. We will lodge a complaint with the Forest Department and the NGT regarding this vandalism,” said a Chhat shopkeeper not wishing to be named. In Zirakpur’s Victoria Enclave, residents claim the PSPCL has cut several trees in front of houses without taking permission. Pruning along road for power line to zoo THIS IS VANDALISM, WILL FILE PLAINT not ❝This is clearlyplaces, pruning. At most not a single leaf has been left on trees. We will file a complaint with Forest Dept and NGT regarding vandalism A Chhat shopkeeper ❞ CONTRACTOR TOLD TO BE CAREFUL ❝A new power line is being installed for round-the-clock supply to the zoo. The contractor has been asked to be careful while pruning trees. — HS Oberoi, XEN, PSPCL ❞ “It takes years to grow and sustain a tree. They just come and cut these from the bottom without any fear. What are forest and MC officials doing?” says a resident of Victoria Enclave, High Ground. Treetops have been chopped off by the PSPCL along the road at Chhat village in Zirakpur. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR