22062026-LT-01.qxd 6/22/2026 12:41 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune UPBEAT BJP WORKERS ACCORD GRAND WELCOME AS NABIN ARRIVES IN CITY P2 » FROM BATTLEFIELD TO ORGANIC FIELDS: EX-SERVICEMAN SHOWS THE WAY P2 » MONDAY | 22 JUNE 2026 | LUDHIANA Two yrs on, Rose Garden revamp stuck in limbo Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 It has been two years that the proposal for the beautification of Nehru Rose Garden was announced and even after floating tenders four times, the project has failed to get started. The latest one was floated two months ago but the project failed to see the light of day. The project has been ‘controversial’ since the beginning, both in terms of cost and tenders. Its estimated cost was slashed from an initial Rs 8.8 crore to Rs 8.4 crore and then to Rs 7.8 crore. The delays have only led to deplorable condition of the iconic Rose Garden, which was once the favourite picnic spot for children and the elderly. With swings in broken condition, now only senior citizens come for morning and evening walks. The beautiful fountain, which was the main attraction and used to work in the evening, is broken. Swings are in bad shape and gleaming tiles are coming off. Even benches are broken and there is no place left for visitors to sit. “My grandson come along with me during my evening walks and he insists on taking swings but these are in a bad condition and should be replaced immediately in view of children safety. The revamp project is getting delayed but the safety of the children can’t be compromised,” said Prakash Singh. Another senior citizen, Pritam Singh, said benches in the garden are in a bad condition. “Most of these are broken and there is hardly any place left to sit,” he said. Remembering the good old days, Tirath Ram said there Broken swings at Nehru Rose Garden have become a safety hazard for children. INDERJEET VERMA THE PROJECT ■ Nehru Rose Garden, established in 1967, spans across 30 acres ■ Proposal for beautification announced in 2024 ■ Four tenders floated so far, latest one two months ago ■ Project’s estimated cost was slashed from an initial ~8.8 crore to ~8.4 crore and then to ~7.8 crore. was a time when fountain used to work and there was a sound and light show. People from all age groups used to gather here in the evening but now, it had become a thing of the past. With green spaces in the city decreasing, city residents want that the work for the revamping of the Rose Garden should be started soon. Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar said it had been two months since the tender was floated but it has not opened so far. With the new MC Commissioner joining, hopes were high that the PROJECT COST ~7.8 CRORE The fountain remains non-functional at the garden. tender would be opened soon. Nehru Rose Garden was established in 1967 and it spans across 30 acres. It once used to feature over 17,000 plants and 1,600 rose varieties. Past controversies The project has been marred by a controversy twice and became embroiled in a corruption scandal earlier in 2025 when an alleged audio clip of the then superintending engineer Sanjay Kanwar, demanding a 10 per cent commission from a contractor in exchange for awarding the work, sur- NEET re-exam conducted amid tight security in dist faced. It prompted the Vigilance Bureau to arrest Kanwar, intensifying scrutiny against the municipal administration. The first tender, issued in December 2024, also drew criticism when officials allegedly manipulated dates during the enforcement of the model code of conduct. The matter was escalated to the Election Commission and an internal committee later recommended scrapping and reissuing of the tender. Later, tender was floated on different occasions twice in 2025. Thieves take away gold, cash from bizman’s house Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 The NEET re-examination was held across 15 centres in the district under tight security by Punjab Police and CRPF personnel. The Deputy Commissioner was the nodal officer to ensure transparency and discipline. Exam material was transported from custodian bank vaults to centres in specially escorted vehicles. To facilitate candidates, the state government offered free travel in PUNBUS and Punjab Roadways buses, extending the benefit to one accompanying guardian. The Railways also operated four special trains across the state Candidates being checked outside a centre before the exam at Government Smart School, PAU, on Sunday. ASHWANI DHIMAN to ease student movement. Candidates underwent strict frisking before entry and biometric verification was mandatory at all centres. continued on page 3 Ludhiana, June 21 Thieves targeted the house of Rajinder Singh Pawan, a garment businessman from the Rajguru Nagar area. The miscreants drugged three maids present in the house, rendering them unconscious, and fled with gold, cash and three watches. Rajinder had gone abroad with his family to celebrate his grandson’s birthday. While returning from the airport, they got to know about the incident. He said the miscreants mixed some sedative in food of the three maids in the house. As per the CCTV continued on page 3 MC bags award for water supply project Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 In a major achievement for the city, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Ludhiana, has been conferred with the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award under the category ‘Municipal Governance – Water Supply Infrastructure’ for the implementation of the 580MLD canal-based Ludhiana Surface Water Supply Scheme (LSWSS). The award recognises the project’s contribution towards sustainable urban infrastructure development, water secu- The award being received by MC officials in New Delhi. rity and citizen-centric governance. The SKOCH Award, instituted in 2003 by the SKOCH Group, is among country’s most respected independent honours and recognises initiatives that contribute significantly towards socio-economic development, governance reforms and sustainable growth. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi on Saturday. The project is being implemented by the Ludhiana MC with technical support from the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC), under the leadership of Mayor Inderjit Kaur, Municipal Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar, Joint Commissioner Vineet Kumar, Chief Engineer Ravinder Garg and continued on page 3 c m y b FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY SKY MAX 40°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 29°C SUNSET MONDAY 7:27 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:22 AM MC CHIEF TAKES STOCK OF BUDDHA NULLAH DESILTING, WORK ON RETAINING WALLS P2 »