15012024-LT-01.qxd 1/15/2024 1:00 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune GAME ON FOOTBALL CLUB WIN SOCCER LEAGUE SUKANT GOEL WANTED TO STAR IN THE FILM SANAA ACTRESS HEMA MALINI TO PRESENT DANCE DRAMA Ten teams, divided in two groups, vied for top honours in the football league, which lasted six weeks. P2 Sudhanshu Saria’s masterpiece Sanaa making waves at various film festivals in India and abroad. P3 Hema Malini to present dance drama based on the Hindu epic Ramayanain Ayodhya ahead of Pran Pratishtha. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 13°C | MIN 4°C YESTERDAY MAX 10.2°C | MIN 4°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.46 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:25 AM MONDAY | 15 JANUARY 2024 | LUDHIANA Garbage-free city still a distant dream SWACHH SURVEKSHAN Urgent steps needed for better performance in future surveys Harshraj Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 14 Amid the accumulation of lakhs of metric tonnes of legacy waste, the absence of fresh waste processing on a daily basis and the presence of uncovered secondary garbage collection points, a garbage-free city status is still like a distant dream. Additionally, the issue is exacerbated by the indiscriminate dumping of waste in vacant plots, government sites or along roadsides. In the Swachh Survekshan 2023, Ludhiana, which ranked 39th of the 46 cities in the category of those with a population of more than one million, failed to secure a spot on the garbage-free cities (GFC) star rating list, as it did not receive any stars. It is worth mentioning that Indore topped the Survekshan rankings and attained a seven-star rating in the GFC star rating system. Ludhiana’s poor ranking is majorly attributed to the MC’s inadequate solid waste management system. The survey (survekshan) conducted in the city last year revealed a mere 15 per cent efficiency in waste processing and a mere 10 per cent progress in remediating the legacy waste at the dumpsite in Ludhiana. The Municipal Corporation initiated a project in Novem- Heaps of solid waste at the MC’s main garbage dumpsite near Kakka village. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN FAILED TO SECURE SPOT ON GFC RATING LIST In the Swachh Survekshan 2023, Ludhiana, which ranked 39th of the 46 cities in the category of those with a population of more than one million, failed to secure a spot on the garbage-free cities (GFC) star rating list, as it did not receive any stars. ber 2022 for the bioremediation of five lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste at its main garbage dumpsite spanning approximately 51 acres near Kakka village. While the second phase of bioremediation for an additional 20 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste was planned for launch in 2023, it could not be started to date. The city has a reported daily waste generation of around 1,100 metric tonnes. Following the termination of services by a private firm in February 2021, the corporation has failed to make neces- sary arrangements to process daily waste. Consequently, huge volumes of both legacy and newly produced waste persistently contribute to pollution at the dumpsite. Moreover, waste compactors at many identified secondary waste collection sites in the city are yet to be installed. Nevertheless, the survekshan data underscores an 87 per cent achievement in doorto-door waste collection and a 76 per cent rate in waste source segregation. Despite this, residents in several areas have raised concerns about the irregularity of daily Risky route door-to-door waste collection. Questions are being raised over the source segregation rate as mixed piles of dry and wet waste at secondary waste collection points are a common scene. A member of the Public Action Committee, Col CM Lakhanpal (retd), said proper source segregation and waste processing, as per the solid waste management rules, were not being done in the city. He emphasised the need for timely transportation of 100 per cent segregated waste from homes and other properties to secondary collection points and then to the main dumpsite. The 100 per cent processing of waste and bioremediation of legacy waste should be ensured. Also, ban on plastic carry bags should be properly enforced. Notably, Ludhiana got ODF+ status during the Swachh Survekshan as the civic body failed to make necessary improvements. An MC official emphasised the importance of optimising sewerage treatment plant operations for the attainment of ‘ Water+’ status. Additionally, urgent mechanical sweeping of main city roads is crucial. The MC has initiated the procurement of four mechanical sweeping machines through tenders and intends to acquire five more. During the Swachh Survekshan, both residential areas and market areas demonstrated a cleanliness rate of 79 per cent. However, several city areas face irregular street sweeping. According to an official, addressing these issues requires attention for better performance. Additionally, the disposal of waste in vacant plots or sites, as well as the burning of solid or organic waste, should be strictly prohibited. Notably, many markets in the city suffer from a shortage of dustbins. Chairman of Feroze Gandhi Market Association, Ludhiana, Col Harjap Singh (retd), emphasised the installation of dustbins in all markets and timely waste collection. Notably, cleanliness of public toilets was observed at 73 per cent during the continued on page 2 The Met Dept has predicted dense fog and cold wave conditions in city for Monday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Sunshine brings much-needed respite to residents from cold Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 14 City residents today had a sigh of relief as sun shone bright during the day giving much-needed respite from the intense cold conditions. The maximum temperature recorded today was 10.2°C while the minimum temperature was 4.0°C. Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, has issued a red warning for Monday predicting dense to very dense fog and it can be a cold to very cold day and cold wave conditions will continue. The weather likely to be dry in the state. No large change in minimum temperatures during the next 48 hours and rise by 2°C thereafter over the state, said spokesperson for Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh. “As the day progressed, it became little warm, though a blanket of thick fog engulfed the city early morning and visibility was low,” said Subhash, a city resident. Meanwhile, a huge rush was witnessed at the Sunday bazaar at Chaura Bazaar where people were seen buying woollens. Impact of cold wave Lung related health impacts: Dense fog contains particulate matter and other pollutants and if exposed, it gets lodged in lungs, clogging the person and decreasing his functional capacity which increases episodes of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Impact on people having asthma bronchitis: Long time exposure to dense fog may cause respiratory problem for people having asthma bronchitis and other lungrelated health problems. Causes eye irritation: Dense fog contains pollutions of various types and these pollutants in the air if, exposed, may tend to irritate the membranes of the eye causing various infections, leading to redness or swelling of the eye. Gangster Vishal Gill, others booked for attacking brothers Video of miscreants beating duo at Issa Nagari Pulli goes viral; victims’ condition critical Tribune News Service Unaware of the risk involved, a man walks on the railway tracks amid fog in Ludhiana on Sunday morning. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Civil Hospital Ortho Dept comes under scanner Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 14 The Orthopaedic Department of the Civil Hospital has come under the scanner as a probe has been marked by the Ludhiana Civil Surgeon into its working. Probe was marked after patient with a fracture in arm not operated upon by doctors The Civil Surgeon has formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The inquiry was marked after a patient was admitted to the hospital with a fracture in the arm and despite his repeated requests, he was not operated upon by doctors. Three members in the committee include three Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. FILE PHOTO SMOs, Dr Harinder Sood, Dr Davinder Kumar and Dr Ramesh Kumar. The inquiry committee will probe into details of number of patients admitted to the trauma and orthopaedic departments from January 1, 2023, till December 31, 2023, when were they admitted or referred. They will also probe about patients who were operated under the Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna, if the beneficiary was given free treatment, how much was charged on the admission of the patients, if the tests of the patients were conducted inside the hospital or from outside. The committee will also probe on the number of patients who were taken to the operation theatre for dressing but were entered into the records as cases of minor surgeries. Ludhiana, January 14 Several assailants attacked two brothers at Issa Nagari Pulli last night. The video of the incident had also gone viral. Gangster Vishal Gill was said to be among the assailants who attacked the duo. Old rivalry was said to the reason behind the brutal attack. A car parked in the area was also damaged by the suspects. It is believed that Vishal, who recently came out on bail from the Ludhiana jail, Cops probing theft case attacked, three nabbed Ludhiana, January 14 A police team that went to conduct a probe in some theft case was attacked by people at Haibowal Khurd yesterday. The PAU police station registered a case against 15 assailants. Three of them were nabbed. The booked suspects have been identified as Sandeep Singh, Ram Avadh, Ram Bhawan, Abhishek and Deepak, all residents of Dairy Complex, Haibowal Khurd, and 10 unidentified assailants. Sandeep, Ram Bhawan and Deepak were arrested by the police. ASI Balwinder Singh said Dharminder Singh had lodged a police complaint that Rs 7 lakh was stolen from his shop and he suspected the role of his worker Sandeep. When the police team, led by ASI Gurcharan Singh, went to the house of Sandeep, the suspects attacked the police party. The ASI and other officials suffered injuries. Raids were on to nab the other suspects. — TNS c m y b OLD RIVALRY REASON BEHIND ATTACK Old rivalry was said to the reason behind the brutal attack. A car parked in the area was also damaged by the suspects. It is believed that Vishal, who recently came out on bail from the Ludhiana jail, had orchestrated the attack to establish the supremacy of his gang in the city. The miscreants had also pelted bricks and stones at the house of the victims. had orchestrated the attack to establish the supremacy of his gang in the city. The miscreants had also pelted bricks and stones at the house of the two victims. The victims have been identified as Saurav and his younger brother Sahil. The condition of both brothers injured in the fight was said to be critical as they were undergoing treatment at the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here. A source said the miscreants resorted to hooliganism in the area for about five minutes. After assaulting the brothers, they dumped them on the road and escaped from the scene. People found a motorcycle without registration number and a Honda Activa scooter in an abandoned condition from the crime scene which were suspected to be of the assailants. Local residents, who woke up after listening the noise in the area, informed the police control room about the incident. The PCR team first reached the scene and later senior officials arrived. Member of gang looting people with toy pistol lands in police net Five motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, fake gun seized Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 14 The Jagraon police yesterday busted a gang of criminals and arrested one of its members. The gang had been looting people by pointing toy pistol at them. The suspect has been identified as Balvir Singh, alias Veeru, a resident of Jagraon. Another gang member Krishna Ghai of Jagraon is at large in the case. Investigating officer assistant sub-inspector Tarsem Singh said a tip-off was received that members of the gang had been looting people by pointing a toy pistol at them and in the past, they had committed several incidents of loot in the Jagraon area in which they looted valuables, mobile phones and The suspect in police custody in Ludhiana on Sunday. motorcycles from residents. As per information, the suspects were going towards Ludhiana from Jagraon to commit another loot. The police laid a trap and after intercepting their motorcycle, Balvir was arrested. Later during his questioning, five motorcycles, 10 mobile phones and a toy pistol were seized from him, he said. Now, further investigation was on to inquire about other gang members so that more recovery of looted valuables could be made, a police official said. The police said after recording the statements of the victims, a case would be registered against the suspects. Meanwhile, in another incident reported last night, two youngsters were stabbed by a group of assailants in Islamganj over old enmity. The injured persons identified as Heera Singh and his cousin Kalu. When residents of the area intervened in the matter, the suspects hurled bricks and bottles at them. The police launched a probe in the matter. Gold ornaments looted from shop at gunpoint by five Ludhiana, January 14 Five armed robbers barged into a goldsmith’s shop near Gill Canal late on Sunday evening and looted gold and silver ornaments worth lakhs at gunpoint. The miscreants also beaten up the jeweller and threatened to kill him. They also fired in the air outside the shop to intimidate the victim. The jeweller, Jagdish, said he was putting back ornaments in drawers when two youths came and asked for silver ornaments. Afterwards, three more youths came and by pointing weapon at the victim, made him sit in a corner. Later, they put ornaments in their black bag and fled the scene. Later, he informed the police control room. The police recovered the CCTV footage and checked the same to get any clue about the suspects. All miscreants were not even wearing masks. — TNS
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