14032026-LT-01.qxd 3/14/2026 12:43 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune VET VARSITY TO HOLD PASHU PALAN MELA ON MARCH 20, 21 NEW BOOK EXPLORES GURU TEGH BAHADUR’S LEGACY TEASER OF EIDDAN KIDDAN BAI FILM UNVEILED IN MOHALI There is enthusiasm among farmers for participating in fair, as evident from their queries. P2 The book has been penned by Karamjeet Singh, VC, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. P3 Prinday Films unveiled teaser of its upcoming Punjabi romantic drama, Eiddan Kiddan Bai, in Mohali. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6:30 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:32 AM » SATURDAY | 14 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA Panel moves NGT over non-compliance of orders on green belts in city areas GLADA initiates action against 43 buildings in South City Tribune News Service Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 13 The Public Action Committee (PAC) has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with an execution application against the Joint Committee and other authorities, alleging failure to comply with the Tribunal’s directions to safeguard city’s green belts and public parks. Despite directions, authorities allowed violations along Old GT Road, in Model Town Extension PAC members Er Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh explained that the matter relates to the original application submitted in 2025, which raised alarm over repeated encroachments and illegal constructions in designated green belt areas. “Despite clear orders, the authorities have allowed rampant violations along Old GT Road near Buddha Dariya; adjoining the Sarabha Nagar Zone D Office and in Model Town Extension,” Arora said. On July 31, 2025, the NGT had directed a joint commit- A vending zone constructed in a green belt along Old GT Road in Ludhiana. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA tee — comprising officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Punjab Pollution Control Board, and the District Magistrate Ludhiana, to verify earmarked green spaces, remove encroachments and submit an actiontaken report within three months. However, PAC members Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh noted that more than six months have passed without compliance. “We sent repeated reminders, including WhatsApp messages and emails, but the silence from the authorities is deafening,” remarked Khaira. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains said the inaction had emboldened fresh violations. “Shockingly, construction of a tehsil office has now commenced in the same green belt along Old GT Road. It is not just a breach of the NGT orders but also a violation of environmental laws, the Master Plan, and even Supreme Court directions,” he said. The PAC has now filed Execution Application of 2026, urging the Tribunal to order demolition of illegal constructions and recover public funds spent on unlawful works from officials responsi- LPG crisis: Take strict action against hoarders, SHOs told Role of officials of gas agencies too under scanner Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 13 With LPG shortage fear triggering panic buying in the city and residents are forced to buy cylinders at exorbitant rates, the Police Commissionerate is mulling to take strict action against hoarders. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma has issued strict instructions to all Station House Officers (SHOs), asking them to take strict and immediate action against shopkeepers or any persons resorting to hoarding of LPG cylinders. SHOs have been told to check if any illegal godown is set up by any hoarder. Talking to The Tribune, CP Swapan Sharma Sharma said all 28 police station heads were told to ensure that there was no hoarding in their areas and those resorting to the illegal practice should be taken to task. There is no check on the usage of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Sharma said the police would also check connivance of gas agency officials with hoarders and action will be taken against them if they sell cylinders at exorbitant rates. Shopkeepers enjoying good rapport with staff of gas agencies manage to buy cylinders illegally from them. Then they sell the same in the black market. Earlier, the police had also nabbed such shopkeepers and recovered cylinders. Such traders also resort to illegal practice of refiling cylinders. Misuse of domestic cylinders by vendors During a survey in city, many vends and fast food outlets were seen using domestic cylinders instead of commercial ones. It is against the law and they may face legal trouble. The police are also likely to initiate action against such offenders when scarcity of LPG prevails. ble. “We have prayed that Ludhiana’s green spaces be protected and accountability fixed on those who facilitated these violations,” said Gurpreet. The committee’s failure, despite widespread media coverage in August 2025, has drawn sharp criticism from civic groups. PAC members stressed that protecting green belts is not merely a legal obligation but a moral duty to future generations. “If judicial orders are ignored brazenly, what message does it send about governance and respect for the environment?” asked Arora. Woman dies after speeding car hits her Ludhiana, March 13 A pedestrian lost her life in a road accident in Dugri here on Friday. She was returning home when a speeding car hit her. The driver fled the scene after the mishap. Investigating officer ASI Balwinder Singh said the deceased had been identified as Nirmala Devi (56), a resident of Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar. She worked as a physiotherapist and was returning home from work when the car hit her near Rimal Hospital, leaving her critically injured. After receiving information, the police rushed to the scene and took the woman to the Civil Hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. The body has been kept at the hospital mortuary for the post-mortem examination. Amanhunt was launched for the driver. CCTV footage of nearby cameras was also being checked to identify the driver. The deceased is survived by her four children. — TNS Speeding car overturns after hitting vehicle, narrow escape for occupants Ludhiana, March 13 A speeding car overturned after losing control in a lane near the DMCH road on Thursday night. While no casualties were reported, the accident caused significant property damage. According to information, the driver was speeding when the car first collided with another vehicle, causing the other car’s tyre to burst. Afterwards, the speeding car turned turtle and crashed into a nearby medical store, shattering its glass. Eyewitnesses and local shopkeepers alleged that the driver appeared to be in an inebriated state. The car that turned turtle near the DMCH road in Ludhiana on Thursday night. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Passers-by rushed to the scene and managed to pull out two occupants out of the overturned vehicle. However, taking advantage of the chaos, the driver fled the scene after being rescued. ASI Baldev Singh said the police reached the scene fast after getting information from the PCR. The vehicle was taken into police custody. — TNS c m y b Ludhiana, March 13 The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) had served notices on 43 commercial buildings located on Ayali Khurd Road (Mahal Hospital road) in South City. Despite the issuance of these notices, the unauthorised constructions and commercial activities were not brought to a halt. Consequently, the process of cancelling residential building plans of illegal commercial constructions has now been initiated by GLADA. Acting under the directions of Hardeep Singh Mundian, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, and GLADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar, GLADA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorised and unplanned development, with special focus on illegal colonies and commercial establishments. The GLADA office has received multiple complaints regarding illegal commercial buildings in South City and adjoining areas of Ludhiana. Residents of licensed colonies and the public have been facing issues such as lack of parking space due to the violations. As per the sanctioned layout of Shaheed Sukhdev Singh Nagar, IIllegal constructions, commercial activities in licensed colonies did not stop despite notices GLADA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorised and unplanned development in the district.FILE plots along the main South City road (Mahal Hospital road) were designated as residential. Most plot owners had obtained approval for residential plans from GLADA. However, a majority of them violated the norms by converting their properties into commercial establishments without approval from the competent authority. GLADA has issued notices to all such commercial constructions on Ayali Khurd Road but despite this, illegal activities continued, prompting the authority to initiate cancellation of residential building plans. Officials stated that strict enforcement drives, including sealing of properties, will be launched in the coming weeks to curb mushrooming of illegal buildings at the initial stage. The GLADA Chief Administrator has appealed to the public to construct buildings strictly as per sanctioned plans and not to change their use from residential to commercial without prior approval. He emphasised that the list of approved and regularised colonies, along with sanctioned maps, is available on the official GLADA website and should be checked by prospective buyers before purchasing property. Meanwhile, GLADA Additional Chief Administrator 3 Vikas Hira confirmed that besides demolition campaigns, the authority would take legal action against violators as per law. He reiterated that illegal constructions would be dealt with firmly to safeguard planned urban growth. Mobile phone snatched from man at mall Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 13 In a shocking incident, a person snatched a mobile phone from a person from the fourth floor of Pavillion Mall near Fountain Chowk here. He managed to escape from the scene after committing the crime. Sourav Mehra, a resident of the Sekhewal Road area, who became the victim of snatching, said he was roaming on the fourth floor of the mall when an unidentified person snatched his iphone. The snatcher managed to flee through the stairs. He was not wearing any mask and his face was captured in the CCTV camera of the mall. He reported the matter to the Police Division 8. The victim said the incident occurred on Thursday evening. Within 30 minutes of snatching, the suspect cracked passwords and transferred Rs 20,000 online from his account to the account of a person, Pardeep. The complainant alleged that the person was also captured in CCTV camera of the mall but the management had refused to share the footage with him. However, they shared it with the police. “A case has been filed. The police traced the suspect to Raikot. Besides the footage, money transferred by the suspect also helped the police in identifying him,” Sourav said.