22062024-LT-01.qxd 6/22/2024 12:29 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MAKE YOGA PART OF DAILY LIFE, DC EXHORTS DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASIF ON HIS DOCUMENTARY FEDERER: 12 FINAL DAYS Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney today exhorted residents to make yoga part of their routine to lead a healthy life. P2 Director Asif Kapadia takes a unique approach to the world of tennis in his latest project, Federer: Twelve Final Days. P4 » » LIFE'S GOOD: YOGRAJ SINGH HAS REASON TO CELEBRATE FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 39°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.33 PM Yograj’s Punjabi film Teriya Meriya Hera Pheriyan hits the screens today and a Hollywood project is already in his kitty.P4 » SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:24 AM SATURDAY | 22 JUNE 2024 | LUDHIANA Work to construct 4 bridges over Sidhwan Canal stalled The NHAI has allotted the bridge construction work on Sidhwan Canal to a Bathinda-based firm. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 The construction of four bridges over Sidhwan Canal on the Ladhowal bypass in Ludhiana, which had begun in December last, has come to a halt. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said the reason behind halting the project was the non-sufficient closure of Sirhind Canal branch to undertake foundation and sub-structure works. The project was approved in December last to help decongest the massive traffic congestion in the busy south city area, which was gradually becoming a hotspot for the food, recreation, and tourism industry. The development assumes significance as the project was awaiting nod for the past some time. The Rajya Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Sanjeev Arora, had impressed upon the NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav to get the project approved. PROJECT REPORT ■ Cost: ~16,64,11,000 ■ Location: Two each in Barewal Awana and Ayali Khurd with 300 metre distance from Raceway and Barewal bridges over Sidhwan Canal on Ladhowal bypass ■ Current status: Work stalled ■ Deadline: April-November, 2024 Following the NHAI nod, the closure of the Sidhwan branch off-taking from Sirhind Canal was required to begin the construction activity at the site. However, the district administration claimed that the NHAI/contractor had been given time for the canal closure, but they could not meet the deadlines. “The canal had to be opened recently to release water to farmers in the downstream districts on time,” the administration clarified. Sharing details, Arora, who reviewed the progress of the project with officials concerned, told The Tribune on Friday that following the inprinciple approval received from the NHAI headquarters last year and canal closure notification issued by the state government on December 20 last, the work to construct four bridges over Sidhwan Canal had finally begun, but it could not progress much due to the issue of canal closure. “I would take up the matter with the state and the district authorities to get sufficient closure of the canal that is required for undertaking the foundation and sub-structure works,” Arora assured. Officials of the NHAI briefed Arora that 44 of the total 64 pile foundations had been completed, but due to non-continuous and short duration of canal closures, no substantial progress had been achieved in the project so far. ■ Bridges: Four ■ Material: Steel truss ■ Length: 17.041-km The NHAI regional office had allotted the construction work to a Bathinda-based firm at the cost of Rs 16.64 crore. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member in the Upper House from Punjab disclosed that as per the scope of work, 17.041-kmlong four steel truss bridges at four locations — 1+700 (between Baklavi Restaurant and Paragon waterfront in Barewal Awana), 2+450 (in front of Sukhmani Enclave in Barewal Awana), 3+300 (in front of Baba’s Restaurant in Ayali Khurd), and 3+900 (in front of Bhalla’s house in Ayali Khurd) — over Sidhwan Canal on fourlane partial access controlled Ladhowal bypass from 0 to 17.041 km would be built on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode. According to the scope of work, the new bridges would have a span of 34 metre in length and 11 metre width of main carriageway and 1.5 Continued on page 2 19-year-old youth robbed of car, wallet at gunpoint Tribune News Service Farmers protest at the Ladhowal toll barrier in Ludhiana on Friday. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA Farmers protest at Ladhowal toll plaza brings cheers for commuters Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 Farmers protest at the Ladhowal toll barrier entered sixth day on Friday. Commuters, who were crossing the Punjab’s most expensive toll barrier without paying a penny, expressed relief as they didn’t have to pay hefty charges. The Tribune talked to several commuters at the Ladhowal toll barrier about the ongoing farmers protest. Kirpal Singh, a commuter who was heading to Jalandhar, said farmers did the best thing by closing this toll barrier where commuters had to pay hefty charges. He said, “Farmers must be appreciat- ed for extending an undue favour to the people.” Deepak Kumar, another commuter, said, “The Ladhowal toll plaza has been operational from over a decade and instead of closing it, the government had been extending its contract every year.” Rakesh Kumar, a commuter Continued on page 2 Farmers ❝best thingdid ❝The toll ❝When a a ❝Earlier, to ❝All sections the by Ladhowal person buys farmers used of society except closing toll barrier plaza has been car or any other hold agitations farmers pay toll where people pay operational for vehicle, he/she for their own tax. I am hefty charges. over a decade. pays road tax. issues. Now, they obviously happy They must be Instead of closing Later, to drive are protesting at if I am not paying appreciated for the barrier, its vehicles on the barrier in the a single penny to extending an contract is being roads, people scorching heat the company undue favour to extended every are forced to pay for issues that managing the the people. year. hefty toll tax. people face. toll plaza. ❞ Kirpal Singh ❞ Deepak Kumar ❞ Rakesh Kumar ❞ Ranjeet Singh ❞ Ramesh Kumar Ludhiana, June 21 Armed miscreants robbed a car from a 19-year-old youth on the Ferozepur-Ladhowal bypass in Ludhiana yesterday evening. The victim was identified as Sarthak Bansal, a resident of Kitchlu Nagar. As per information, Sarthak was driving on the new south city bridge near toll barrier yesterday evening when he was cornered by four armed persons. They pointed a gun at him and asked him to handover whatever valuables he had. The robbers snatched Baleno car keys, a gold chain and purse from the victim. The suspects threatened the victim of dire consequences if he informed the police. Sources said after snatching the car, robbers fled from the Ladhowal toll barrier. The police are checking the footage of the CCTV cameras installed at the toll barrier to find clues about robbers. Despite repeated attempts, the Ladhowal Station House Officer didn’t answer phone calls. Senior police officials are also maintaining silence over the incident. Sources in the Police Department said two robbers were arrested by cops today. The sources said the car was also recovered from the two suspects, but the police did not give any official statement in this regard. c m y b Man found dead in Hargobind Nagar Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 Body of a man living in migrants’ vehra at Hargobind Nagar was found in a room on Friday. It seemed that the man had died hours before and his body was completely mutilated. The police suspected that the body was eaten by rats and insects. The incident came to light when people living in the neighbourhood sensed a foul smell emanating from the room. When they opened the door, they were shocked to see a man lying dead in the room. The deceased was identified as Pappu. After getting information, cops from the police Division No. 3 reached the spot and started investigation. Cops also questioned residents of the vehra to find the cause of man’s death. As the case was suspicious, a forensic team was called on the spot for collecting samples. The people in the neighbourhood said the deceased was a diabetic and a regular drinker. ASI Jaswant Singh said the deceased Pappu originally hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He worked as a driver. He said the post-mortem report would reveal the exact cause behind man’s death. Firemen douse flames at a plastic factory in Fatehgarh Gujjran village on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Goods,machineryworthlakhs gutted in fire at plastic factory Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 A massive fire broke out in a plastic factory — Kartar Enterprises — in Fatehgarh Gujjran village, near Ladhowal village last night. The fire was so massive that it was visible from a distance of kilometres away. Factory owner said shortcircuit could be the cause of the fire. Immediately after seeing fire in the factory, people informed its owner. The factory owner immediately reached the spot. Nearby villagers also arrived at the factory and tried to extinguish the fire, but when they failed to do so, the fire brigade was informed. It was fortunate that there was no one inside the factory when the fire broke out otherwise there could have been casualties. Goods worth lakhs were gutted in the blaze. Factory owner told firemen that he had closed the factory around 8 pm last night. After two hours, he got a call from one of his workers who was informed by someone that a fire had erupted in the factory. When the owner reached the factory, raw material and machinery worth lakhs was already reduced to ashes. At least 15 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames. Cops from the Ladhowal police station reached the spot and helped in the rescue work. Chaos prevailed in the village as large number of villagers also gathered near the factory out of panic. Fire officials said the factory had no fire arrangements. Even water supply was not available due which fire tenders had to travel a long distance to refill tenders. Cops question a person at a drug hotspot; and (right) policemen impound a scooter during CASO in Ludhiana on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTOS 3 held with drugs, cash in cordon & search ops Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 The police today conducted cordon and search operation (CASO) at drug hotspots in the city. The operation was led by the Additional DGP Parveen Sinha along with the Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal. Around 200 police personnel, including 10 SHOs and other cops, took part in the operation. In a statement here today, the Ludhiana police stated that the search operation was conducted in Chawni Mohalla and Ghora Colony from 8 am to 1 pm. After cordoning the areas, suspected persons were frisked and suspicious vehicles were checked. During the operation, one smuggler was arrested from Chawni Mohalla from whom 4 kg of poppy husk was recovered, the police said. Two smug- glers were arrested from Ghora Colony from whom 1 kg of ganja, one stolen motorcycle and Rs 3.15 lakh cash was recovered, the police said. After registering a case against three persons, further investigation was launched to bust the entire drug supply line, the police added. The Khanna police also conducted CASO during which seven smugglers were arrested. The arrested suspects were identified as Kamaljit Singh of Mohanpur, Sumit of Meat Market, Sumit, alias Kala, of Meat Market, Mani of Khanna, Talwinder Singh of Shahpur, Raman Kumar of Machhiwara and Narinder Singh of Ber Kalan. The police recovered 22 grams of intoxicating powder, 218 tablets, 27 injections and one motorcycle from the suspects. Separate cases were registered against the suspects under the NDPS Act. Police freeze smugglers’ property worth ~48 lakh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 21 A day after the state government announced a strict action against drug smugglers, the Khanna police today froze properties worth Rs 48 lakh of two drug smugglers of Samrala in Khanna. Amneet Kondal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Khanna, along with other senior police officials and force, pasted notices on properties of smugglers. The SSP said the Khanna police had already prepared details of properties gathered by these smugglers. After verifying details of properties that were acquired through illegal means these were SSP Amneet Kondal and other cops at the site of an attached property of a smuggler in Khanna on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO seized. The SSP said further probe was initiated to find other properties, including benami, if bought by smugglers. The first smuggler, whose property worth Rs 29.95 lakh was seized, was identified as Sukhpal Singh, alias Sukhi, a resident of Guru Nanak Road, Samrala. Sukhpal was booked under the NDPS Act in the year 2021 by the Samrala police. The police had then recovered 3,000 Tramadol tablets, 22,800 Diphenoxylate Hydrochloride and Atropine Sulphate tablets and 14 bottles of Reksodin cough syrup from his possession, the SSP said. The SSP said another smuggler whose property was seized had been identified as Sohan Singh, a resident of Manki village in Samrala. He was arrested by the Samrala police in 2019 and 53 kg of poppy husk worth Rs 18.03 lakh was recovered from his possession.
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