26102023-CT-01.qxd 10/26/2023 12:04 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune COMPLY WITH HC ORDERS, COURT TELLS CBI AGAIN PGI FORMS TEAM TO CHECK OVERCHARGING BY CHEMISTS DAV STAFFERS PROTEST ‘BIAS’ AGAINST UNAIDED FACULTY Agency was instructed to provide documents sought by Sippy Sidhu murder case accused Kalyani. P2 Overcharging for medicines has long been a concern for patients at the premier health institute. P2 Teachers of DAV, MCMDAV colleges protest ‘discrimination’ against unaided teaching staff. P2 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 142 PANCHKULA 86 MOHALI 108 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD All batteries, 12-year-old UPS systems to be replaced Naina Mishra SEPARATE WAREHOUSE Tribune News Service INBRIEF 45.17-GM HEROIN SEIZED, 2 HELD Chandigarh: The police arrested Karanveer Singh (26) of Ballo Majra and Suresh Kumar (42) of Baltana with 45.17 gm of heroin near Sector 41 on Tuesday. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered. TNS TWO ARRESTED UNDER ARMS ACT Chandigarh: Gurpreet Singh and Amitpal Singh, both residents of Gurdaspur, were arrested with one countrymade pistol and 10 cartridges near Kajheri village on Tuesday. TNS YOUTH STABBED AT MANI MAJRA Chandigarh: Faisal alleged four persons stabbed him at Shivalik Garden, Mani Majra, on Monday. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital and later referred to the PGI. TNS Chandigarh, October 25 Investigations into the recent fires at Nehru Hospitals (C Block) and the Advanced Eye Centre have linked the incidents to aging UPS (uninterruptible power supply) batteries that had exceeded their expected lifespan. Generally, the life expectancy for such batteries is around three years. The batteries at C Block where the fire broke out were overdue for replacement. During a routine inspection of the UPS battery backup at Nehru Hospital on September 29, these batteries were not replaced, possibly resulting in decreased efficiency. The mishap at the Advanced Eye Centre, caused by a short circuit in the UPS batteries, was somewhat mitigated by their recent replacement. Now, the PGI has decided to replace all batteries and UPS systems, which are 10-12 years old. The company concerned has been engaged to examine the quality of the batteries. Three batteries have been sent to Bengaluru as a sample from the PGI for quality test. The According to committee, there is an urgent need to have more space or a separate warehouse for the central store and pharmacy for storage of consumable medicines/logistics. Also, the condemned material should be disposed of as early as possible. NEHRU HOSPITAL TO BE REVAMPED Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGI, addresses the media at his office in Chandigarh on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: NITIN MITTAL COMMITTEE’S SUGGESTIONS ■ A crossing to be created in front of the Nehru Hospital for heavy vehicles (fire engines) ■ All closed spaces such as OTs, ICU wards, long corridors to have proper exit report is awaited. To enhance efficiency, the management of the UPS battery systems has been entrusted to the biomedical division, eliminating any prior communication hurdles stemming from multiple agencies’ involvement. Earlier, some of the UPS systems were managed by C- It was submitted that the Nehru Hospital building is 65 years old and henceforth, existing power cables, manifold pipelines and air conditioning fittings/installations need to be revamped. DAC but there were some communication gaps due to which the upkeep of batteries was affected. The PGI has also decided to relocate the batteries from the premises to safer locations, or the periphery of buildings to facilitate smoke dispersal in the event of a fire. The chairman of the com- c m y b mittee that looked into the incidents has emphasised the need for risk stratification for UPS units installed on the 5th floor of the main OT to prevent such incidents as these were not found to be working properly during a recent inspection. Addressing fire hazards in Continued on page 2 FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Complete formalities in week, Purohit tells MC Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 25 Facing criticism over the nonfunctioning of charging stations, UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit has directed the MC to complete all formalities within a week for the installation of charging stations in parking lots. Despite the highest adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and CHARGING STATIONS the lowest charging tariff in the country, 23 charging stations installed in November last year are still non-operational. During a recent meeting of the General House, the MC had refused to allow the installation of EV charging stations in its parking lots. Instead of approving the administration’s directions No Chandigarh-Sharjah flight from tomorrow Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune News Service for evacuation in case of fire ■ No fire hazard items shall be kept in corridors/stairs ■ Fire escape routes shall be created on the 4th and 5th floors, Main OT, Nehru Hospital MAX 31°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 31.1°C | MIN 15°C SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:32 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD Overload, aging batteries linked to PGI fire incidents MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET THURSDAY 5:41 PM » THURSDAY | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Mohali, October 25 The Chandigarh-Sharjah flight from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (SBSIA), Chandigarh, is set to be discontinued from October 27, said SBSIA CEO Rakesh Ranjan Sahay. The thrice-a-week flight, with 360 seats (180+180), was much in demand in this region but the airline has chosen to discontinue it for inexplicable reasons. Sources said there has been no information on whether the flight would resume later or not. “We have sent an email to the airlines requesting it not to discontinue the flight as it is a popular destination from here but the final decision rests with the airlines only. The daily flight to Dubai will continue as usual,” said Sahay. The move comes as a big blow to the Chandigarh airport’s ambition of becoming a truly world class international airport. Despite region’s overwhelming demand for international flights from here, the airport’s connectivity to two Continued on page 2 regarding the charging stations, the House decided to form a committee to decide the further course of action. An official of Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST), the nodal agency for the implementation of the EV policy, said the charging stations were ready and could be made operational anytime. 96 temporary licences for sale of green crackers Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 25 The UT Administration issued 96 temporary licences for the sale of green crackers after a draw of lots held at Bal Bhawan in Sector 23 here today. The draw was held under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rupesh Aggarwal. The licences were allotted for sites in Sectors 24, 28, 29, 30, 33, 37, 40, 43, 46, and 49, Mani Majra and Ram Darbar. A total of 1,814 applications were received for temporary Continued on page 2