30082025-LT-01.qxd 8/30/2025 1:01 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune RATION FOR ANGANWADI CENTRES ROTS DUE TO RAIN Many bags of ration were damaged after water seeped into the godown at Shimlapuri. P2 » GANESH CHATURTHI BECOMES FEST OF UNITY GEORGE CLOONEY’S JAY KELLY GETS STANDING OVATION What began as a modest cultural transplant from Maharashtra has become a vibrant festival.P3 Clooney walks the red carpet with wife Amal, co-stars Adam Sandler, Greta Gerwig & others at Venice Film Fest.P4 » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.47 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:59 AM SATURDAY | 30 AUGUST 2025 | LUDHIANA Ward 57 to get ~15-cr urban makeover Villages face flood threat; admn says situation under control focused on safety, smart infrastructure Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 29 In a major step towards building safer and smarter cities, Ludhiana’s Ward 57, which includes areas near BRS Nagar, has been selected for a Rs 15-crore Neighbourhood Improvement Plan under governance reforms initiated by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. As the city moves towards smarter urban planning, Ward 57 is poised to become a model for citizen-centric development where safety, accessibility and sustainability converge. The centrally located ward, home to a diverse population and key infrastructure such as schools and parks, will undergo a comprehensive transformation aimed at enhancing women’s safety, urban mobility and public amenities. Safety & surveillance Security is a central focus of the plan. The ward will be equipped with 100 CCTV cameras, with plans to double the number in later phases. These will be supported by emergency call boxes, patrol vehicles and smart surveillance tools, all integrated with the Ludhiana Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for 24x7 monitoring. The centrally located Ward 57 will undergo a comprehensive transformation aimed at enhancing women’s safety, urban mobility and public amenities. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO BE UPGRADED Civic officials plan to upgrade essential services, including water supply systems — storm sewers and tube wells, Health centres and community halls, public parks and sanitation facilities, footpaths will be redesigned with shade, seating and pedestrian crossings while smart street lighting and signage will improve visibility and navigation. A mobile app featuring SOS alerts and geo-tagging is also in development to enable quick emergency response and citizen engagement. Inclusive public spaces The ward will see the addi- tion of public toilets, ramps and tactile paths and libraries for senior citizens. These features aim to make public spaces more inclusive and userfriendly for all age groups and abilities. Move excites residents The announcement has sparked optimism among residents, many of whom have long awaited improvements in basic infrastructure and public safety. “It’s encouraging to see our ward finally getting the attention it deserves,” said Renu Sharma, a resident of BRS Nagar. “We’ve been struggling with issues such as broken roads and parking issues. This plan feels like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “I’m especially happy about CCTV cameras and SOS app,” said Harpreet Singh, father of two children. “My children walk to school, and knowing there will be better surveillance and traffic calming measures, gives us peace of mind,” he said. “The idea of libraries for senior citizens and accessible toilets shows that the plan is inclusive,” said Meena Arora, a retired teacher. “It’s not only about roads and pipes but also dignity and comfort for everyone,” she said. Civic officials plan to upgrade essential services, including water supply systems — storm sewers and tube wells, Health centres and community halls, public parks and sanitation facilities, footpaths will be redesigned with shade, seating and pedestrian crossings while smart street lighting and signage will improve visibility and navigation. Traffic & accessibility To ease congestion near schools, tabletop crossings will be constructed to slow down vehicles. The plan also includes traffic calming measures in high-speed zones, safe routes to schools and public transit, parking solutions in densely populated areas and road markings and green pathways for smoother flow of vehicles. Ludhiana, August 29 Residents of Sasrali Colony, Kasabad, Dheri and Choorwal villages continue to remain under the threat of floods, even as the authorities claim that the situation was under control. In Sasrali Colony alone, nearly 60-70 acres have been destroyed, damaging paddy and poplar crops in the past four days. The area, along adjoining villages, had witnessed large-scale illegal mining for several months and it was only after the intervention of the Governor in April that an FIR was lodged against culprits. Local residents now allege that the unchecked mining was the root cause behind the present floodlike situation in the area. Karam Singh, sarpanch of Sasrali Colony, told The Tribune that in nearby Raud Mand village, contractors had dug river banks as deep as 2530 ft during illegal mining. “The water levels rose from that side and it has reached villages near Sasrali Colony. We are constantly staying under threat of floods as the water level has already risen by 5-6 ft. Around 15-20 persons are on a thikri pehra day and night to prevent further entry of water,” he said. BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal, who visited Kasabad, Choorwal Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Motorists commute through a potholed road near the Jalandhar bypass in Ludhiana. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA Ludhiana, August 29 A week after the Ludhiana police booked three individuals for obtaining arms licences by submitting fake dope test reports, three more individuals have been booked by the police for resorting to the illegal practice. Among the three, two had already obtained the arms licences while the third person was caught during verification of the licence. A case was registered on the complaint of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Licensing), Ludhiana. Interestingly, among the Two had already obtained licences while third suspect was caught during internal verification booked persons, two are real brothers, identified as Sanjiv Malik and Munish Malik, residents of New Shimlapuri. As per the police, Sanjiv had filed an application for addition in the arms licence and he attached a fake dope test report. Following which, he obtained the licence. During internal verification, the certificate was found to be fake while Munish had applied for a new licence and he had also provided a fake ~50L looted from MLAs, Mayor send six trucks carrying iron trader’s office relief material to flood-hit Pathankot Ludhiana, August 29 A loot of Rs 50 lakh was reported from the office of an iron trader on Gill Road here on Friday. According to the police, an old worker entered the office and carried out the robbery. The miscreant came on a bike. The suspect, who was wearing a red T-shirt, fled the scene after filling the money in a black bag. Police officials from Police Division 6 reached the scene after getting information. The worker who was robbed is also being thoroughly interrogated by the police. The worker, Anil Kumar, said when he was sitting in and adjoining villages, also blamed illegal mining for the situation. “Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken by the authorities concerned. It was only after we approached the Governor that an FIR was lodged. Today, villagers are paying the price for the illegal activity,” he alleged. Residents of Issewal in Machhiwara had also raised concerns about illegal mining in the past. However, as no “formal complaint” was filed, no action was taken. “Water has entered our fields, though the crops have been saved for now,” said Avtar Singh, a villager. Meanwhile, in Samrala’s Dullewal and Akkuwal villages, the situation is tense as the Sutlej water level has risen by 5-6 ft. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said Civil Defence Aapda Mitra teams had been pressed into service. “We have already placed sandbags, where necessary. For now, the situation is under control,” he assured. 2 brothers among three submitted fake dope test reports to procure arms licence Tough times Tribune News Service In Samrala’s Dullewal village, situation is tense as the Sutlej water level has risen by around 6 ft. the office on Friday around 5:30 pm, an old worker entered the office. He was holding a chisel in his hand. After putting the same on his neck, he took about Rs 50 lakh from him and fled the scene. The entire incident was captured in a CCTV camera installed in the office. Anil said when the suspect brandished the sharp weapon, he got scared and gave him the money. Afterwards, he informed the police. ASI Pyara Singh said the police were investigating the case from every angle. The CCTV footage has also been seized. Anil was also being questioned by the police to crack the case. Ludhiana, August 29 In a unified effort to support flood-affected residents of Pathankot, MLAs Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Parashar Pappi, Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina, Mayor Inderjit Kaur and Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain on Friday morning sent six trucks carrying relief material, including 5,000 ration kits, to Pathankot from near Verka Milk Plant here. They emphasised that the relief material was dispatched under the directives of the state government. “It is our collective responsibility as Punjabis have to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in The DC, Mayor and MLAs flag off a truck carrying relief material to Pathankot, in Ludhiana. Pathankot during this challenging time,” they stated. Ration kits will provide some assistance to families impacted by the floods, ensuring access to essential sup- c m y b plies. They also appealed to the people of the state to come together in prayer for the swift restoration of normalcy in flood-affected regions. Market Committee chair- man Gurjeet Gill, Amrinder Pal Singh, MP Jawaddi, , Manisha Kapoor, Kanojia Welfare Board chairman Raju Kanojia were among others present. — TNS dope test report. However, he was yet to receive the licence. The third suspect, Sachdev Singh Dhaliwal, a resident of Santokh Nagar, here, had also attached a fake dope test report and obtained the licence. Now, arms licences of these persons would be cancelled by the Police Commissionerate. Notably, on August 22, the Ludhiana police had also booked three persons for submitting fake dope test reports to secure arms licences. One of them had already managed to obtain a licence using forged medical documents before the fraud came to the fore. The suspects were identified as Hardik Khanna of Lajpat Nagar, Uday Pratap Singh Grewal of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar and Nishan Singh of Dashmesh Nagar. Separate cases were lodged against them under various sections of the BNS. In Grewal’s case, Section 30 of the Arms Act had already added as he successfully obtained a licence with a fake report. Earlier also, similar cases were reported in Ludhiana. On May 13, a case was registered against Lalit Kumar, a driver-cum-security guard from Sahnewal Kalan, and international shooter Gurnihal Singh Garcha of Model Town for using fake dope test reports. Garcha had also won medals at international championships. Tomorrow last day to pay property tax without penalty Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 29 Under the one-time settlement (OTS) policy floated by the state government for property tax in the past, August 31 is the last day to pay the tax without interest and penalty. As it is a golden chance for residents to submit their pending property tax without penalty, suvidha kendras of the Municipal Corporation (MC) will remain open during working hours on Saturday (August 30) and Sunday (August 31) too. Mayor Inderjit Kaur said the state government had been working for the welfare of residents. The decision to keep suvidha kendras open on Saturday and Sunday had been taken to facilitate the residents at large. She appealed to the residents to take maximum benefit of the golden chance and submit the pending tax without interest and penalty. The officials said property tax was introduced in 201314 and it had to be paid on a self-assessment basis every year. If the property owner fails to pay the same, a 20 per cent penalty and 18 per cent annual interest on the pending amount were charged by the civic body. Under the OTS policy, the residents could now submit the pending tax by August 31 without any penalty or interest. The pending tax can be submitted at the kendras situated in zonal offices of the civic body.