24012024-LT-01.qxd 1/24/2024 12:20 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SAFETY OF STUDENTS, ELDERLY TOP PRIORITY AT R-DAY EVENT PADMA LAKSHMI TALKS ABOUT HER ‘BIG ISSUE’ WITH TOP CHEF ACTOR NICOLE KIDMAN TO STAR IN JUSTIN KURZEL’S MICE Proactive measures are being taken in view of the ensuing cold wave and foggy season. P2 Last year, India-born supermodel, TV host and actor outlined her reasons for quitting the show after 17 yrs. P3 The two have worked on Nitramand and upcoming TV series The Narrow Road to the Deep North. P4 » » FORECAST DENSE FOG MAX 14°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 13°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.54 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:22 AM » WEDNESDAY | 24 JANUARY 2024 | LUDHIANA No traffic signal at Canal Bridge intersection a threat to motorists In full swing TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Residents demand installation of lights to avert traffic congestion, mishaps Harshraj Singh Ludhiana, January 23 In the absence of traffic signals at the Canal Bridge intersection on Pakhowal Road in Ludhiana, trafficrelated problems pose a significant concern. While the Municipal Corporation is set to implement the Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 42 major junctions in the city, with tenders expected to open soon for the same project, there is currently no proposal in place to install traffic signals at the Canal Bridge intersection on Pakhowal Road. Amid the construction of the Southern Bypass flyover several years ago, the traffic lights were removed at the intersection but were not reinstated. Presently, some residents of nearby areas are advocating for the installation of traffic lights at this junction to prevent traffic congestion and potential accidents. Upinder Sharma, a Punjab Mata Nagar resident, emphasised the urgent need for traffic lights on both sides of the ASHWANI DHIMAN Tribune News Service Chaos prevails due to the lack of traffic lights at the Canal Bridge intersection in Ludhiana on Tuesday. intersection on Pakhowal Road, citing it as a busy intersection. "With increasing traffic on the railway overbridge and Pakhowal Road, the demand for traffic lights has grown due to safety concerns, as the area appears to be prone to accidents. In the absence of police officials, passersby sometimes take on the responsibility of managing traffic. We appeal to the civic body to promptly install traffic lights", he said. Sarabjit Singh, another resident, highlighted the traffic challenges arising from people turning towards Jawaddi from the Vikas Nagar side on Pakhowal Road. He pointed out that many commuters from the Jawaddi side often turn towards a Railway underbridge (RUB), leading to Sarabha Nagar, and Railway overbridge (ROB) on Pakhowal Road, increasing the risk of collisions in the absence of traffic lights. He suggested that installing traffic lights in this area would significantly contribute to better traffic management. Traffic lights are not installed or non-operational at several other locations, such as Sarabha Nagar Chowk on Pakhowal Road, various intersections including Rajguru Nagar and BRS Nagar on Ferozepur Road, a few points on Chandigarh Road, Saggu Chowk, and Mint Gumri Chowk among others. The installation of new traffic lights at such major intersections is part of the Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) project at an estimated cost of Rs 7.56 crore. Executive Engineer of the Municipal Corporation, Manjitinder Singh, stated that they will evaluate the demand to install traffic lights at the Canal Bridge intersection on Pakhowal Road. He clarified that there is a plan to install traffic lights under the ATCS project at 42 junctions in the city. However, the Canal Bridge intersection on Pakhowal Road is not part of the project. Nevertheless, he highlighted that the project includes a provision that permits the relocation of traffic lights to alternative locations if they are deemed unnecessary at their current designated sites. He said the traffic lights at Sarabha Nagar Chowk on Pakhowal Road, Rajguru Nagar, and other major junctions would be installed under the ATCS project. NCC cadets during the Republic Day parade rehearsal at PAU ground in Ludhiana on Tuesday. MC razes ‘illegal’ colony Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 23 The municipal corporation (MC) demolished an underconstruction illegal colony in Guru Ram Das Nagar near the Central Jail on Tajpur Road. The MC team also sealed three labour quarter buildings in Jeevan Nagar and Fauji colony. An official stated that the gate of another under-construction illegal colony in Sherpur area, near the railway lines, was also sealed. Assistant Town Planner (ATP - Zone B) Harvinder Singh Honey mentioned that the action has been taken against illegal constructions due to the owners violating building bylaws. Regarding the action taken against the under-construction illegal colony in the Sherpur area, ATP Honey explained that the owner had erected a boundary wall and was selling plots in the illegal colony. The civic body team has sealed the gate of the colony. 26 mobiles found in Central Jail Ludhiana, January 23 As many as 26 mobile phones were found on the premises of Central Jail, Ludhiana. Surinder Singh, Assistant Superintendent of Central Jail, Ludhiana, asserted that during a recent check within the jail, they found 26 abandoned mobile phones. He pointed out that an unidentified inmate had violated jail regulations by keeping the prohibited items in the jail. A case under Section 52-A of the Prisons Act has been registered. — TNS Bank official held for taking bribe Attacked by wife, man Banned items found in jail, 2 officials held Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 23 The state Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested a collection manager of IDFC Bank at Feroze Gandhi Market, Ludhiana on Tuesday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. The accused has been identified as Bikramjit Singh. An VB spokesperson stated that a complaint was lodged by Ravinder Kumar, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, against the accused. The complainant stated that he runs a readymade garments shop named Silver Mod Fashions at Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana. In September 2020, the 3 arrested with 5-qtlpoppy husk complainant had taken a loan of Rs 13,32,379 for four years from IDFC Bank under the Grand Emergency Credit Line (GECL) scheme of the RBI. Ravinder approached the collection manager to close his loan account by clearing all remaining amounts/instalments. After discussions, he repaid the entire loan amount, but his loan account was not closed. When Ravinder met the collection manager regarding this issue, he allegedly demanded Rs 40,000 as a bribe to facilitate the closure of the loan account through senior officers of the bank. The spokesperson further informed that, as per section 46-A of the Banking Regula- tion Act 1946, the accused collection manager is deemed to be a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act since he is a bank official. After a preliminary investigation of this complaint, the VB range in Ludhiana laid a trap, and the accused bank official was arrested while accepting a ‘bribe’ of Rs 40,000 from the complainant in his shop in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at the VB police station, Ludhiana range, against the accused the collection manager Bikramjit Singh. Further investigation is in progress, and the accused will be produced before court tomorrow, he added. succumbs to injuries Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 23 A heated argument over a trivial issue turned ugly after a woman allegedly hit her husband with a thread cutter, causing a fatal injury to a vein in neck. Despite being rushed to the hospital while bleeding profusely, the man succumbed to his injuries. The deceased, identified as Gaurav Kumar (37), was getting ready for work at the time of the incident. He was a hosiery worker. His wife, Sonam (35), has charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Following the incident, the police initiated an investigation and subsequently arrested Sonam. The couple have a 12-yearold son and a one-and-a-halfyear-old daughter. It came to light that the altercation began when Sonam asked Gaurav to provide medicine for their daughter. The disagreement escalated, leading Sonam to allegedly attacked Gaurav with a thread cutter, causing a severe cut to a vein in his neck. Sonam then called her brother-in-law and they swiftly took Gaurav to a private hospital for treatment, but he could not be saved due to excessive bleeding. Ludhiana, January 23 In a case related to the alleged illegal supply of contraband items, including mobile phones, to inmates in the Central Jail, two jail officials have been arrested by the police. The arrested officials have been identified as Assistant Superintendents (Jail), Satnam Singh and Gagan Sharma. A case had been registered at Division Number 7 police station against some inmates for allegedly supplying mobile phones and other banned items within the jail premises and the police then further investigated the matter. Following the investigation, Assistant Superintendents of Jail Gagan Sharma and Satnam Singh were identified as individuals allegedly aware of these activities and involved in the nexus. Division Number 7 Police officials are investigating the case. The concerned SHO stated that further details will be disclosed during a press conference on Wednesday. Notably, the entry of illicit substances, mobile phones, and other contraband into the jail has become a major issue despite the strict security measures in place. Questions were also raised about the use of phones and the internet in jail when a purported video of a birthday bash inside Central Jail went viral earlier this month. Sunshine brings relief from cold Hopes revived for exhibition centre in city Manav Mander Ludhiana, January 23 The Khanna police claimed to have busted an interstate gang involved in drug peddling. The police arrested three persons and recovered five quintals of poppy husk from them. The suspects have been identified as Amarjit Singh (50) of Kassapur village in Ambala, Satnam Singh (52) of KhanAhemadpur village in Ambala, and Himmat Singh (65) of Gadola in Yamunanagar. Khanna SSP Amneet Kondal said five quintals of poppy husk have been recovered from the possession of them. She mentioned that the police party of Samrala was present near Bardhala village at a checkpoint in search of suspicious persons. At the checkpoint, the police party signalled the driver to stop the vehicle. During checking, five quintals of Poppy Husk were seized. A case under Sections 15/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered. Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 23 A sunny Tuesday brought much-needed respite to residents from intense cold continuing for over a week. The maximum temperature recorded by the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, today was 12.2 degree celsius while minimum was 6.2 degree Celsius. Meanwhile the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Ludhiana continue to be poor. The average AQI recorded today was 279 and comes in the “poor” bracket which can lead to breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. Worst AQI during the day was observed at 12 pm when it was 288. According to the PAU, the weather is expected to remain dry with possibility of cold wave conditions/dense fog during morning hours over Ludhiana and its adjoining areas during the next 24 hours. Ludhiana, January 23 The hopes for the muchawaited exhibition centre in Ludhiana have been revived once again. MP has announced to take up with the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, the pending proposal to a state-of-theart exhibition centre, which was lying stalled for the past over three years. The state government has in January 2021 planned to build an exhibition centre over 20,000 square meter area with a 50-room 3 to 4-star hotel at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore but the work on the plan has not yet begun. The development assumes significance as Ludhiana, which is the business capital of the state and industrial hub of the North India, has no such facility so far, in the absence of which the trade and industry were forced to look for private spaces, which were also not adequate, at COMMITTED TO PROMOTING INDUSTRY: CM Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Girls bask in the sun during the day in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Although in the morning the visibility was low due to fog but as the day progressed, sun was seen today and it was shining bright over the city, giving relief to the people. “Today was a pleasant day as sun shone bright over the city and everyone was seen basking in the sun. Hopefully we have a similar day tomorrow. We enjoyed the sunshine today,” said Kusum, a city resident. Medical experts advising those who have to go out early morning advised that they should keep their earlobes, fingers, toes and the tip of the nose covered while going outside. These areas have the highest risk for frostbite if they are not properly protected. To keep fingers warmer, opt for mittens instead of gloves. PAU experts have cautioned and advised farmers to ensure protection of the evergreen fruit plants, especially younger plants from severe cold. c m y b ❝ We are committed to promote trade and industry by providing them the best in class facilities and congenial work environment in the state. Since Ludhiana is our industrial capital, all-out efforts are being made to expand the existing industry and attract new investment in future. Bhagwant Mann, CHIEF MINISTER ❞ exorbitant prices to put up their exhibitions. Taking up the long-pending demand of the local industrialists, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member in the Upper House of Parliament has announced plans to bring a state-of-the-art, world-class exhibition and convention facility on par with the best in the industry countrywide, in size and quality. Arora made this announcement at the GMMSA Expo India-2024 organised by the Garments Machinery Manufacturers and Suppliers Association here. The spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing, embroidery, finishing linking, laser cutting and pack- aging, dyes, chemicals yarnsallied machines and accessories were displayed at this three-day expo, which concluded on Monday evening. After visiting the expo, Arora said it was the most prestigious platform under one roof to provide every solution to every small and large problem in every segment of garmenting with further upgradation of prevailing present systems and required replacement of technological machinery. He appreciated the organisers for organising the eighth edition of the expo, where a live demo of technology and machines was made available. “This type of expo not only benefits the existing industries but at the same time also motivates visitors to start their own ventures,” the parliamentarian opined, while hoping that the expo will be beneficial not only for the Ludhiana industry but for the industry in entire North India. He asked the industrial organisations of Ludhiana to submit him a memorandum in this regard which he will take up with the CM, who claimed was “very positive and forthcoming” to provide the best in class infrastructure and facilities to promote trade and industry in the state. He also asked the local industry to suggest total land required and location as well for the exhibition centre. Arora admitted that the local garment industry was facing major challenges, particularly from the China manufacturers, who were exporting goods at a very low prices compared to the goods manufactured in the domestic market.
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