03092025-LT-01.qxd 9/3/2025 12:55 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune ROOFS COLLAPSE DUE TO RAIN, 2 FAMILIES RENDERED HOMELESS ASHA WORKERS BRAVE FLOODS TO SERVE RESIDENTS LIFE OUT OF GEAR IN PUNJAB: CELEBS STAND IN SOLIDARITY Roofs of two houses collapsed at Ghudani Kalan village after incessant rain lashed region on Monday. P2 Even as floodwater inundates villages and urban colonies, ASHA workers are out offering medical support. P3 In the face of devastation across Punjab and northern India, a wave of solidarity and action has emerged. P4 » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 27°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 22°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.44 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:00 AM » WEDNESDAY | 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Another century-old building collapses in Naughara Mohalla Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 2 After the rain wrecked havoc in the city on Monday and collapsed three old buildings in Old City areas, another century-old building collapsed in Naughara Mohalla early this morning. Fortunately, the incident did not cause any casualty. A barricade put up at the waterlogged South City underpass after rainfall and (right) commuters wade through the flooded Pakhowal Road underpass. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Flooded underpasses: Is infra serving its purpose amid rains, question city residents Authorities barricade entry points of few underpasses, leaving commuters in trouble Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 2 What was once hailed as a solution to traffic congestion has now become a symbol of civic frustration. As rains lash the city, key underpasses meant to ease vehicular movement have turned into waterlogged traps, forcing the authorities to barricade entry points and leaving commuters in the lurch. The South City underpass, in particular, has drawn sharp criticism from residents. Despite repeated complaints about waterlogging, no effective drainage solution has been found. Instead, the authorities have opted to put up temporary barricades, blocking both entry and exit points. Local residents say such reactive approach only highlights lack of foresight in urban planning. “What’s the use of these underpasses when they cannot be used amid rain?” questioned a visibly frustrated resident, watching vehicles turning away from a flooded stretch of the underpass. The sentiment echoes across social media and local forums, where images of submerged roads and stranded vehicles have gone viral. The situation is no better at the Pakhowal Road–Sarabha Nagar underpass, which remains completely inundated. With no visible signs of water receding, the route has become impassable. Commuters who attempted to brave the stretch found themselves in distress. “I took the route thinking it would save time,” said Harpreet Singh, a city resident. “But the water was so deep due to which my scooter broke down midway. I had to wade through knee-deep water to push it out.” Lodhi Club underpass was also shut for traffic following repair work of drains a few days ago. Many residents are now calling for a structural overhaul of drainage systems in the underpasses, demanding accountability and longterm solutions. City based engineer Dinesh Verma has also weighed in, pointing out that without proper slope design and water exit channels, underpasses were prone to becoming catchment zones during heavy rainfall. “While barricades might prevent further damage for now, the issue also raise a fundamental question: If infrastructure cannot withstand seasonal weather, is it truly serving its purpose?” he asked. As Ludhiana continues to grapple with monsoon disruptions, the flooded underpasses stand as a stark reminder that development without durability is a costly illusion. Underpasses exist but residents are left navigating alternate routes — and hoping that next year’s rains won’t bring the same story back, said Harjinder Singh, another city resident. It was supposed to be acquired to give direct access to martyr Sukhdev Thapar’s house Notably, the building was situated near the ancestral house of Sukhdev Thapar and it was being acquired by give direct access to the martyr’s house. As per an area resident, the building had been lying abandoned for decades and some trader had been using the same to keep his wooden boxes. As per Tribhuvan Thapar, kin of the martyr, who also stays in the Naughara Mohalla, said the building reportedly collapsed early this morning. As it was raining heavily, no resident heard any sound at the time of its collapse. It was in the morning only when he was shocked to see the shattered structure. He also went to the place to check if anyone got trapped in debris, but nobody was found. Later, he informed Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aadtiya Dachalwal about the incident. Thapar said earlier, it was a three-storey building and in 1960, two storeys of the building had collapsed due to an The building that collapsed due to heavy rain at Naughara Mohalla in Ludhiana on Tuesday. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA earthquake and since then, only the ground floor was lying abandoned, which was also in a poor state. Owners of the building stay in Mumbai, Kanpur, Ludhiana and Gurugram. On Monday, besides the house collapse incident at New Puneet Nagar due to the inflow of rainwater that claimed the death of eight-year-old Vikas Jha, who was drowned, three century-old buildings located in Old City areas of Bagh Wali Gali, Raman Market and Baini Ram Street had also collapsed. The MC had also issued notices to dangerous buildings before the monsoon season but no proper follow-up seemed to have been done to demolish the same. The three buildings were also lying abandoned and no one was staying in MC’s Zone B office flooded, work hit Two sons of labourer die of electrocution at village Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 2 Even the Zone B office of the Municipal Corporation was inundated on Tuesday, forcing staff to salvage documents and equipment with the help of buckets and mops. The rainwater breached the office perimeter and seeped inside, disrupting operations and prompting an urgent response. “Water is everywhere — inside corridors and around desks. We had to wade through water to reach the office,” said an MC employee. A high-capacity pumping machine was deployed to drain out the stagnant water. “We’ve been running the pump non-stop and it’s a race against time as the task had to be done before arrival of more Mahesh Sharma Workers drain out water from the MC’s Zone B office in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN rain,” said the technician overseeing the dewatering process. The scene outside the office resembled a shallow lake, where sanitation workers were seen navigating flooded grounds in gumboots. “MC’s own office is knee-deep in water, if they can’t even safeguard their own premises, what about residents?” said Rajinder Singh, a local visitor, who had come to file a complaint but found the office flooded. “It’s a clear sign that the system is collapsed,” he said. Mandi Ahmedgarh, Sept 2 Draining rainwater from the roof claimed the lives of two sons of a labourer at Sangowal village, falling in the Gill assembly segment of Ludhiana district. The deceased were identified as Tejwant Singh (21) and Manjot Singh (19), who were electrocuted one after the other on Sunday. Villagers, led by sarpanch Iqbal Singh, have demanded compensation for the aggrieved family. Harnek Singh Neki, a labourer and chowkidar, is yet to come in terms with the situation after he lost both his young sons on a single day. Tejwant Singh Manjot Singh Sarpanch Iqbal Singh said a double tragedy had struck the family on Sunday afternoon when Manjot went to roof of the house to drain out rainwater and suffered a severe electric shock, possibly due to defective wiring. Tejwant Singh, who went to rescue his younger brother, was also electrocuted after coming in contact with water and both brothers were declared brought dead at a hospital on Sunday. The victims had started supporting their parents by working as helpers with carpenters. Besides the victims, Harnek Singh had a daughter. Raminder Singh Sangowal, a BJP leader, has demanded a job for the sister of the deceased brothers, besides monetary compensation as the tragedy was caused due to a natural calamity. Jaswinder Singh Jassie, PA to Gill MLA Jiwan Singh Sangowal, said the legislator had also sought compensation from the state government. “Sangowal has already assured every help to the aggrieved family on his own. Compensation sought by him from the government may take some time,” he said. the structures for a long time. Building portion gives way in Soodan mohalla Portion of another multi-storey old building collapsed in Soodan mohalla on Tuesday evening. As the building collapsed, debris fell on the street. It also damaged the electricity pole and cables. Fortunately, no one suffered injury in the accident. Area residents said the building belonged to the owners of the Mahindra Group whose ancestors used to stay there. Even officials of the company used to visit the house. Otherwise, the building was lying abandoned. As debris blocked the road outside the building, residents informed MC officials and urged them to clear the road. Foetus found on Chandigarh road Ludhiana, September 2 A man was captured on a CCTV camera footage while he was dumping a foetus on the gaushala road near the Chandigarh road here on Monday evening. After information reached an Aam Aadmi Party councillor, Anita Nanchahal, on Tuesday, her son Karan Nanchahal reached the scene and informed the police. Karan said this morning when some passers-by noticed the male foetus, which might be seven months old, he had informed the police. SHO, Moti Nagar, inspector Veer Inder Singh, shifted the foetus to the Civil Hospital for autopsy. He said later, when footage of the CCTV camera installed on the road was checked, a man was seen dumping the foetus. A case has been filed against the suspect. — TNS Eyebrows raised as govt plans to sell Civil Surgeon’s office Man attacked on Bahadurke road Ludhiana, September 2 A wave of political and public discontent rippled on Tuesday after reports surfaced that the state government is planning to sell the century-old Civil Surgeon’s office here. The building, which dates back to the British era, was a guest house then, which was later converted into the Civil Surgeon’s office. Sources within the Health Department confirmed that a letter had been received, instructing officials to vacate the premises, sparking condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society. Senior Congress leader Ishvarjot Singh Cheema led the The Civil Surgeon's office in Ludhiana. FILE charge, calling the move “a betrayal of Punjab’s people and history.” In a strongly worded statement, Cheema declared that the Civil Surgeon’s Office is not only a government building but also a symbol of public service and collective memory. “It is a century-old symbol of public service, where generations of Punjabis have come for health and administrative needs,” said Cheema. “Selling it is like selling the soul of the state. I will not let the government loot and auction people’s property,” he said. He warned that any attempt to privatise public heritage would face fierce resistance. “Every government in history that tried to sell off public property could not survive. No government that betrays its people’s trust remains stable — and this government will be no exception,” he said. “The Civil Surgeon’s Office is a people’s heritage, not government’s property to c m y b sell. It is the rich heritage of Ludhiana, a slice of history and should be protected at every cost,” said Ravinder Singh, a senior citizen from the Civil Lines. Earlier, Daak Bangla, built by the Britishers on the same road, was demolished and now, it seems to be the turn of Civil Surgeon’s office. It should be protected at every cost, he said. Madan Lal Bagga, MLA, North, who recently got an UPHC open at the Civil Surgeon’s office, said he came to know about the same and would intervene in the matter and won’t let the office get sold off,” he said. — TNS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 2 Some miscreants attacked a man outside Sabzi Mandi on the Bahadurke road on Monday night. The assailants also reportedly fired shots but the complainant had a miraculous escape. The police, however, said the claim of the complainant about firing was yet to be verified and a police investigation was already launched in the case. The complainant, Naresh, told the police that he had old enmity with some youths. On Monday night around 11.40 pm, Kunal called and asked him to reach outside Sabzi Mandi. As he was standing outside the gate, Kunal, along with his aides, reached the place and started hurling bottles at him. Later, the assailants fired three shots at him but fortunately he escaped unhurt. When the suspects fled the scene, he informed the Basti Jodhewal police about the incident. Police officials reached the place and recorded the victim’s statement. They assured that action would be taken. “Initially, the police were not ready to believe that firing occurred but I showed them empty cartridges. I have given the names of the assailants to the police and also urged them to nab the suspects. If they remain at large, they may attack me again,” he said. SHO, Jodhewal, SI Jasvir Singh, said the police investigation found that two groups had clashed and investigation was on to unearth the truth. About the allegation of the firing, the SHO said as no one suffered any injury in the attack, the claim of the complainant was being verified. — TNS