30092024-CT-01.qxd 9/29/2024 11:59 PM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune SELJA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR CHANDER MOHAN IN P’KULA BODY OF BOY WHO FELL INTO BHAKRA CANAL RECOVERED IIFA 2024: SRK WINS BEST ACTOR, RANI BEST ACTRESS Sirsa MLA Kumari Selja seeks support for Congress nominee from Panchkula during an event in Rajiv Colony. P2 A 15-year-old boy from Mandi Gobindgarh had slipped into Bhakra Canal on September 17. P2 Best Picture went to Animal and Best Director was won by Vidhu Vinod Chopra for 12th Fail. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD A show of collages titled “Contemplation”: By Mohinder Tuli, Government Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10. The exhibition is open till October 1 from 11 am to 7 pm (Monday closed). Entry free Exhibition: Fashion, lifestyle and home décor of pan-India designers, Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35, on till September 30, from11 am to 8 pm APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 43 and 45, and Maloya Mohali: Phase V Panchkula: MDC, Sector 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Chandigarh: A woman has been booked on the charge of cheating. Complainant Vikas, a resident of Kajheri village, alleged that Rajwanti of his village duped him and others of Rs 60 lakh by making them invest in a Ponzi scheme. A case has been registered. TNS SEC 49 RESIDENT ALLEGES ASSAULT Chandigarh: A Sector 49 resident was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon. Complainant Vikas alleged that Sujal, Kamal and two others attacked him near his house. The police have registered a case. TNS MAN LOSES ~39L IN CYBER FRAUD Chandigarh: A Sector 11 resident was duped of Rs 39.70 lakh in a case of cyber fraud. Complainant Navpinder Singh stated that someone called him up and claimed that his number was linked to terrorists. The caller deceived the complainant and compelled him to transfer the money. A case has been registered. TNS FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE Chandigarh, September 29 In a boost to the long-awaited Tricity Metro project, the Punjab Government has finally agreed to allocate 45 acres (18 hectares) in New Chandigarh for the construction of a Metro depot. The depot will be crucial for inspection and maintenance works related to the upcoming Metro lines. The issue of land allotment for the depot had been a persistent hurdle in the project’s progress. The UT Administration had sent multiple reminders to the Punjab Government, urging them to clarify their stance on the matter. Following a recent clearance from the Forest Department, the Punjab Government has now confirmed that the land was ready to be released, pending final approval of the Chief Minister. A senior official said it had been decided to release 45 acres in New Chandigarh for the construction of the depot. The file has been sent to the Chief Minister for final approval, which is expected within a week. Once approved, the land will be handed over to the UT Administration, he added. The matter was a key agenda item during the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) meeting held on September 2. While this marks a positive step for the New Chandigarh depot, the Punjab Government has declined to provide land for another proposed depot in Zirakpur. In its place, an alternative depot will now be constructed in Sector 27, Panchkula, with approval already secured from the Haryana Government. The depot allotments are part of the larger Metro development plan for the Tricity, which will see construction beginning in 2027 as part of the first phase, with completion expected by 2034. Phase 2 of the project will commence post-2037, further expanding the city’s metro connectivity. RITES, a subsidiary of the Railways, has recommended a two-coach Metro system for the tricity. Based on both qualitative and quantitative screening carried out by the agency concerned, the Metro (2 coach) system has emerged as the most viable alternative mass rapid transport system (MRTS) to meet the expected mass transport needs of the tricity, recommended RITES in its draft alternatives analysis report (AAR). In the preliminary screening, Metrolite and Metro Rail (2 coach) emerged as prospective mass transport system for the tricity. However, the Metrolite system will not be able to cater to the peak hour, peak direction passenger trips and will get saturated around 2054-55. Only the Metro (2 coach) system will continue to cater to the peak hour passenger demand much beyond 2056 as it has a higher carrying capacity, suggested the report. Cops obstructed on duty, 2 held The road near Colony No. 4 in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, which the UT Administration plans to connect with the peripheral road of Daria village in Chandigarh. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Checking congestion: Admn plans road from Industrial Area to Daria Amit Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 29 The UT Administration is considering a direct road from the Colony No. 4 light point in the Industrial Area, Phase I, towards Daria village to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours on the stretch between Poultry Farm Chowk and the Hallo Majra light point. The new road is intended to serve as an alternative route for commuters from Panchkula, Baltana and Zirakpur. The matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) chaired by Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh. During a meeting in May, the DSP Traffic (R&D) had highlighted the urgent need to connect the Colony No. 4 road with the peripheral road of Daria village. In response, the Chairman of the DRSC enquired if To help commuters from Panchkula, Zirakpur skip Hallo Majra light point this requirement was included in the Master Plan-2031 and directed the Chief Architect (CA), UT, to clarify. Later, during a meeting on August 6, the CA’s representative informed that a letter regarding this issue had been sent to the Forest Department, but a response was still pending. The Chairman then instructed the CA’s representative to forward the letter to him so that he could coordinate with the relevant department and facilitate a final decision on the matter. The road under proposal would connect the Industrial Area to the peripheral road of Daria village which can be used by commuters heading towards Panchkula. Currently, there are two main routes to Panchkula — one via the Housing Board light point on Madhya Marg, and the other via the Hallo Majra light point along the Mauli Jagran road. Harman Sidhu, president of ArriveSafe, an NGO, and a member of the DRSC, stated that the proposal was discussed during the meeting and was currently in the planning phase. “The road would certainly act as an alternative to avoid peak hour rush near the Hallo Majra chowk on the way to Panchkula,” he added. A police official mentioned that the new road would benefit not only those travelling to Panchkula, but also those heading towards Baltana and Zirakpur. “The construction of this road will help reduce traffic at the Hallo Majra light point, as motorists would use the Daria-Colony No. 4 route instead of passing through Hallo Majra,” he added. Auto driver, aide heldfor robbing passenger Chandigarh, September 29 Two persons, including an auto driver, have been arrested by the Chandigarh Police for robbing a passenger at knifepoint. Complainant Umesh Yadav, a resident of Deep Complex, Hallo Majra, stated that he had hired an SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.16 AM FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Clearance from Forest Dept received | File sent to CM for final nod INBRIEF WOMAN BOOKED FOR ~60L FRAUD MAX 33°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.2°C | MIN 24.2°C Punjab set to allot 45 acres for Metro depot in New Chandigarh Tribune News Service National Silk Fest: An exhibition of handloom and dress material, Himachal Bhawan, Sector 28, on till October 2 PARTLY CLOUDY SUNSET MONDAY 6.09 PM » MONDAY | 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST auto to reach home from Tribune Chowk around 2 am on September 28. A passenger was already sitting in the auto. Yadav reported that on reaching the 3BRD road, the co-passenger pulled out a knife and the driver stopped the auto. Both suspects thrashed the complainant and robbed him of his purse and mobile phone. The suspects then sped away from the spot. The police were informed about the incident and a case was registered at the Sector 31 police station. During investigation, the auto driver, named Sajan Shukla (21), and his associate Vishal Mishra (24), both residents of Daria, were arrested. The police have recovered the robbed purse and mobile phone from them. The auto used in the crime has also been impounded. — TNS c m y b Chandigarh, September 29 Two persons have been arrested for deterring cops from discharge of duty in Sector 56. According to the police, complainant ASI Hirdwant Singh reported that he and Constable Ravi Parkash had gone to Sector 56 from where information about a quarrel between area residents was received. He alleged that around two dozen people quarrelled with them. A case was registered at the Sector 39 police station. During investigation, two persons, identified as Vinod Kumar and Ashish, alias Ashi, were arrested. The police said others involved in the scuffle would be identified and subsequently arrested. — TNS BJP president JP Nadda waves during a convention in favour of Gian Chand Gupta, the party candidate for the Panchkula Assembly seat, on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO. NITIN MITTAL Nadda promises Smart City tag for P’kula if BJP wins poll Ravneet Singh Tribune News Service Panchkula, September 29 BJP national president JP Nadda today said if the party was elected to power, it will work on making Panchkula a Smart City. Nadda was speaking during a convention organised here in support of BJP candidate Gian Chand Gupta. He was joined by former chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma, party senior leaders Sanjay Tandon and Banto Kataria, BJP district president Deepak Sharma, Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goel and others. The BJP president said the party brought about fundamental changes in the country. “PM Narendra Modi has changed the political culture of India. Earlier, people used to talk about corruption and appeasement. Now, the governance is pro-people, active and it is a politics of development in the country.” He assured that if brought to power, the party would provide free dialysis and 2 lakh jobs without corruption. Nadda said Gupta had shared his report card of the past 10 years of his term. “He has worked extensively for the people and delivered on projects. The BJP manifesto is a vision document for the next five years,” he said. Drawing a contrast, he said the Congress picked up the agenda of the Left. “They do this merely to attain power. We removed Article 370 to ensure there is only one constitution in the country. There is no triple talaq in other Islamic countries. It was practised in India only. It was only the BJP government that removed it for the benefit of Muslim women. While visiting abroad, former PM Manmohan Singh used to talk about cross-border terrorism, but now Narendra Modi talks about the world economy and the IT sector,” he said. The BJP chief said, “The Congress claims to be champion of farmers, but we have increased the number of crops at which the Haryana government has decided to provide MSP He also spoke .” about Ram temple in Ayodhya, the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and other schemes launched during the BJP tenure. He said after Covid-19, several countries, including Japan and China, were facing hardships on economic front and were affected by inflation, but India stood afloat. India was positioned second in steel manufacturing and increased the toy manufacturing, he said. “India is the third largest buyer of mobile phones. At 681 billion US dollars, our foreign exchange is at all-time high,” he pointed out. He lauded the Centre for ensuring women-led development through Drone Didi Scheme and other initiatives. Rekha Sharma said the BJP wanted to make India the number one power in the world. “It talks about Hindutva and nationalism, but the Congress only pleases minorities. Only the BJP and Narendra Modi can save the countrymen from dismal situations faced by people in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,” she said. Gupta said the BJP government had developed Panchkula in the past 10 years with various works, including establishment of national institutes of Ayurveda and fashion technology. Armymanheldforopeningfireon tea shop owner, accomplice flees 3 armed youths go on rampage in Kharar Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Mohali, September 29 The police arrested an Army man and booked his accomplice, both from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly opening fire on the owner of a tea shop in Sector 68 here during a brawl around 2 am on Sunday. The suspects were identified as Satwant Singh of Pilibhit, an Army absentee currently putting up in Zirakpur, and his accomplice Udit Shaukeen, who is currently residing in Gillco Valley, Kharar. Satwant Singh allegedly fired two rounds at ‘Urban Chai’ owner Germanjit Singh, but the latter managed to evade them. During the brawl, both Germanjit and Udit sustained injuries. Locals gathered at the spot and informed the police. Satwant Singh was arrested, but Udit managed to flee, the police said. A sophisticated pistol, two live rounds and two empty shells had been recovered, cops said. DSP City-2 Harsimran Singh Bal said, “The brawl Mohali, September 29 In a brazen act of violence and vandalism against tobacco products kiosks, three armed youths attacked the owners of several such vends in Kharar. At the Kharar bus stand, miscreants thrashed a fatherson duo at their shop and ransacked the kiosk after warning them against selling tobacco products. Later, they stole some things and threw their goods in a drain, causing a loss of around Rs 50,000. On the statement of shopkeeper Anil Verma, an attempt-to-murder case has been registered against Khoonimajra residents Gurwinder Singh and Amanjot Singh and Fatehgarh Sahib resident Jaspreet Singh under Sections 115, 109, 126(2), 305(A), 3(5) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the City Kharar police station. Sources said the trio riding a bike with an outdated registration plate threatened and attacked roadside vendors outside the Tehsil Complex, near Ambika Devi temple, and JTPL society also. The suspect in the Mohali police custody on Sunday. took place over a pending food bill of around Rs 7,000. Satwant claimed that they had come to settle the dispute. The weapon recovered is licensed but it does not belong to Satwant.” On the statement of Germanjit Singh, a case under Sections 109,115 (2) and 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act has been registered at the Phase 8 police station.