24102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/23/2025 11:05 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune PHAGWARA SDM ORDERS ACTION AGAINST STUBBLE BURNING PUNJAB’S JAGMOHAN CLEARS TOP KARATE REFEREE EXAM BILL GATES IN VIRANI MANSION? SDM Jashanjit Singh chaired a meeting at Phagwara to prevent stubble burning across the subdivision. P2 Coach Jagmohan Vij has made history by clearing the WKF Referee 'A' examination in Paris, France. P3 Bill Gates will be seen in an upcoming episode of Smriti Irani-starrer Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.46 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:37 AM » FRIDAY | 24 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Jalandhar stinks in post-Diwali waste surge Wariana Dump grows as city struggles with garbage | Residents criticise MC over unchecked piles of garbage Aparna Banerji MAYOR’S ASSURANCE Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 23 Following Diwali celebrations, Jalandhar has witnessed a sharp spike in waste generation, with hundreds of tonnes of garbage accumulating at various collection points across the city. While Municipal Corporation (MC) officials estimate the average daily waste generation at 500 metric tonnes, this figure surged to 700–800 metric tonnes during Diwali due to increased consumption and festivities. In addition to this, due to three-day holiday, including two Diwali days followed by Vishwakarma Day on Wednesday, wastes haven’t been picked from most of the sites with most staff being on leave. The officials said the process will resume on Thursday, post Vishwakarma Day festivities. However, residents and experts question the MC’s daily waste estimate, suggesting the actual figure may be significantly higher. At the Wariana Dump, a long-standing garbage mountain has accumulated 15–16 lakh metric tonnes of waste over decades. Locals claim the actual volume could exceed 30 lakh metric tonnes, citing the toxic runoff and hazardous residue that continue to pose environmental and health risks. From time to time, various HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Woman’s chain snatched in Phagwara Phagwara, October 23 A woman Rupinder Kaur became the victim of snatching in Model Town, Phagwara, on Wednesday, when an unidentified motorcyclist allegedly snatched her gold chain and fled from the scene. Rupinder was riding a scooter when the incident occurred. The assailant, a young man on a motorcycle, reportedly approached from behind and snatched the gold chain before speeding away. The victim and her aunt were left shocked and unable to note down the registration number of the motorcycle. Soon after the incident, the matter was brought to the notice of the police. However, till the filing of the report, no FIR had been registered in connection with the case. The delay in lodging the FIR has raised concerns among local residents, who have urged the authorities to take swift and concrete action to curb such street crimes. Residents of Model Town have expressed growing unease over the rising incidents of snatching and theft in the area. They have called for increased patrolling and stricter enforcement to ensure the safety of women and senior citizens.— OC weekend ❝ After theDiwali and two-day FACTS & FIGURES Daily garbage generation During Diwali Waste at Wariana Dump site MC garbage collection points Processed under bio-mining project Safai Sewaks Rag pickers Vehicle drivers Vehicles (JCBs, e-rickshaws,pick-ups) Wards - 85 500 to 600 MT 700 to 800 MT 16 lakh MT 17 60,000 MT 1,600-1,700 over 700 over 100 around 100 A vehicle unloads waste at a huge garbage dump at Urban Estate, Phase2 in Jalandhar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: SARABJIT SINGH huge dumps in Jalandhar have triggered complaints in courts and with the NGT. Complaints regarding the Urban Estate, Phase II, dump and the Wariana site remain pending with the Permanent Lok Adalat and the NGT. Huge garbage dumps, which inconvenience residents, include Urban Estate, Phase II, random sites and plots near Nakodar Road, Gurnanakpura, Qazi Mandi, near BMC Chowk, Fish Market. The Urban Estate, Phase II, a posh locality with dozens of hotels, is troubled by a huge dump. In half an hour, this correspondent witnessed 15 to 20 vehicles and e-rickshaws dumping unsegregated wastes at the site - from Jyoti Nagar, Gill Colony, Bank Colony, Model Town, Abadpura among other areas. A case against the garbage dump was filed by Jalandhar advocate JP Singh at the Permanent Lok Adalat, following which the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, represented by Health Officer Dr Shri Krishan, clarified that the site is a temporary trans- fer station, not a permanent dumping ground. The MC assured that all waste from the site is transported daily to the Wariana Dump Site. Restaurant owners Inderjot Singh and petrol station owner Karanbir Singh said, “The garbage dump is a huge menace for our customers who are put off by the constant stench. There has been a major fire which poses a huge danger to petrol station. Proximity of the dump to so many eateries and a petrol station is detrimental for business and safety. It should be shifted elsewhere.” Man arrested with 28kg opium in Nawanshahr Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 23 The Nawanshahr police have arrested one person and seized 28.80 kg opium during a special anti-narcotics operation. Providing further details , Sarabjit Singh, Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Nirmal Singh, DSP (Investigation), and Inspector Neeraj Chaudhary, in-charge, CIA staff, Nawanshahr, during the press conference, stated that on October 18, a police team, led by ASI Nirmal Singh, was at a naka near the Nawanshahr bypass when they intercepted a car coming from the Nawanshahr side. Upon checking, the driver identified himself as Inderjit Singh, resident of Chak Thittian village, Amritsar. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 50.46 gram of opium concealed in a compartment near the gear lever. Subsequently, a case under Sections 18, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act was registered at Nawanshahr. During interrogation, accused Inderjit revealed that he had more opium stored at his house in village Chak Thittian. Acting on this, the police recovered an additional 6.87 kg of opium from his residence. The accused further disclosed that he had been supplying opium for a long time and was in contact with Davinder Kumar, alias Lala, resident of Khoja, Rahon, presently residing at Sloh Road, Nawanshahr. He also stated that he often communicated with Lala through WhatsApp and that Lala had recently ordered opium from him. On Lala’s instructions, Inderjit had hidden a consignment of opium in a bolt near the gate at Lala’s house in village Kang, Rahon. “Inderjit had gone there to retrieve the opium after Lala failed to pay him,” the police said. Following this disclosure, the police recovered an additional 21.16 kg of opium from the location, taking the total recovery to 28.80 kg. Co-accused Lala has been named in the same FIR and is currently lodged in a jail in connection with another case. The police stated that he will be arrested in this case shortly, and further investigation may lead to more revelations about the drug network. Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir said, “Jalandhar generates wastes of 500 metric tonne per day which on Diwali rises to 700 to 800 metric tonne. Due to the weekend and two-day Diwali festivities, the waste pick up will continue as scheduled. Of the wastes at the Wariana Dump, bio-mining process had been started since May (which stalled in June to August) and has resumed again. About 60,000 MT of waste has already been processed. Tenders are through for processing 8 lakh MT waste after which 8 lakh MT more will be processed. The segregation of wastes will also soon be started in Jalandhar for which the process is on.” Assistant Health Officer, MC, Jalandhar, Shri Krishna said, “There are 16 or 17 permanent waste collection points in Jalandhar. Waste from many points from the city has been removed after complaints. In the city, only one point at Basti Gujan is currently operational. No one wants collection points near their areas. But garbage has to be lifted from somewhere. Within a week, PO festivities, the waste pick up will continue as scheduled. Bio-mining at the Wariana Dump has resumed after a brief halt between June and August. About 60,000 MT of waste has already been processed. Tenders are through for processing 8 lakh MT waste after which 8 lakh MT more will be processed. Waste segregation is also in the pipeline ❞ Vaneet Dhir, MAYOR machines are also being introduced in the MC to challan those illegally dumping wastes. The segregation system is also being streamlined, although people themselves are generally reluctant to carry out segregation and create compost and oppose us if we start challaning.” Kapurthala plagued, too Unplanned development and government apathy has also plagued the erstwhile princely state of Kapurthala, with garbage woes. While efforts have been made to remove the Hoshiarpur, October 23 In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with the Hoshiarpur police, arrested Krishan Gopal, a resident of village Baincha in Hoshiarpur, and his son Keshav in connection with the targeted shooting at a jewellery shop in Hoshiarpur, said DGP Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday. Police teams have recov- cartridges seized ered .32 caliber pistol along with cartridges from their possession and also impounded their motorcycle. Yadav said the arrested duo was involved in a targeted shooting at Ganpati Jewellers, Hoshiarpur, on October 18. Following the attack, the shop owner received a threatening call from an unknown foreign number, demanding ?20 lakh in extortion, he said. A case was registered under Sections 336, 324(4) and 3(5) of the BNS and Section 25 of the Arms Act at Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur. The DGP said further investigations are ongoing to establish links in this case. ADGP AGTF Promod Ban , , said following the attack on the jewellery shop, police teams conducted investigations and identified the sus- c m y b Common sight in Hoshiarpur Despite the Municipal Corporation’s claims of keeping Hoshiarpur clean, garbage piles remain a common sight across the city. The main cause is the severe shortage of sanitation workers — only 420 are available for over 700 beats, with many covering two or more areas each. No regular recruitment has occurred since 2012, and several newly hired workers have already quit. While the MC had promised to remove all four garbage dump yards about two years ago, only two have been cleared, the remaining ones at Bahadurpur and near DAV College continue to trouble residents with foul smells and garbage scattered alongside road. Adding to the problem, many plots have become the dumping grounds. Although the MC had ordered plot owners in February to build boundary walls or fences within seven days to prevent dumping, no enforcement action has been taken even after eight months. The situation reflects both administrative inaction and public negligence in maintaining city cleanliness. Since release from jail, Jalandhar MLA Arora prefers to keep low profile Not attending any social, political events, confines himself to biz, temple activities Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 23 Exactly a month since he was released from jail, Aam Aadmi Party Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora seems to have chosen to keep a low profile and refrain from any political activity. Arora had got discharged from jail on September 22 after he faced two FIRs - one by the Vigilance Bureau and another by the city police. He remained in Nabha jail and later Kapurthala jail for four months. The only place where he has been publicly seen since his release was while singing bhajan at Balaji Temple, where the devotees offered him chunnis and robes. While this happened a day before Diwali, the very next day he uploaded a post on social media, congratulating everyone for the festival. His sudden activity led many to believe that he perhaps had a cooling time and was set to again become active. But sources close to his family have confirmed that Arora has no such plans. He had chosen to confine himself to his own business. “He gets out of his house daily around noon but only to spend two-three hours in his cloth shop. He and his son Rajan, who too was booked in the VB case, are focusing only on business. They are not meeting anyone and not even attending any social events. They seem to have chosen to be like that at least for the next few months”, said a relative. It was not just Arora but also his son, his daughter’s father-in-law Raju Madaan and close aide Mahesh Makhija who had been booked in the VB case. Arora is also learnt to have been under immense pressure to resign as MLA but has somehow sustained and so far not resigned. He had also filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, saying that he was being pressured to resign but is learnt to have taken back that submission too. Party insiders say that there has been a Man, son held for firing at jewellery shop Four injured in car, tractor collision .32 caliber pistol, Our Correspondent waste at the local level, garbage sites near Sat Narayan Mandir, near BPEO office on the Amritsar Road, near the Shalimar Bagh, near the Old Courts, etc, still a nuisance for residents. Locals said drives to pick garbage are carried out are a temporary affair. pects in this case. Acting swiftly, the teams intercepted the suspects Krishan Gopal and Keshav at village Mehdoodpur in Hoshiarpur, where they resorted to indiscriminate firing on a police party to escape but was overpowered after a brief exchange of fire. The police teams were led by SP (Investigation) Parminder Singh, in-charge, CIA, Hoshiarpur, Gurpreet Singh and in-charge, AGTF Chan, der Mohan. Phagwara, October 23 Four persons sustained injuries in a road accident that occurred late on Wednesday night on the Phagwara–Hoshiarpur road near Rawalpindi village. The collision involved an Innova car and a straw-loaded tractortrolley. The tractor-trolley was being driven by Amandeep, a resident of village Falpotta. The impact of the collision caused significant damage to both vehicles. Three occupants travelling in the car suffered injuries in the mishap. Local residents and passersby rushed to the spot immediately after the accident and helped shift the injured to the Civil Hospital, Phagwara, where they are undergoing treatment. Doctors at the hospital stated that all injured are out of danger. — OC tacit understanding between him and the Delhi team of AAP ahead of his release under which he has chosen not to get into any party activity. Arora was earlier considered close to CM Bhagwant Mann and his family. Even though Arora is no longer in office, it is AAP halqa in-charge Nitin Kohli, who continues to command influence and effectively hold the fort for the party in the Jalandhar Central Assembly constituency. Former BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia too has taken potshots at the situation, saying that AAP was indulging in unconstitutional activity by putting the name of Kohli on foundation stone instead of the MLA. “We shall hold the officials concerned accountable once AAP goes out of power”, said the former Local Bodies Minister. Railway Board DG visits RCF Phagwara, October 23 Director General (Safety) of the Railway Board Hari Shankar Verma today visited the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala. During his visit, Verma held a comprehensive meeting with principal heads of departments and senior officers to discuss critical issues related to coach safety, production efficiency and the introduction of new coach models in the current fiscal year. — OC