12092025-LT-01.qxd 9/12/2025 12:53 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune VILLAGERS BLAME CANAL DEPT FOR FAILING TO MAKE REPAIRS CHESS GAINS POPULARITY IN DISTRICT VISHAL, JANHVI ATTEND SCREENING OF HOMEBOUND Residents of about 24 villages have accused the Canal Department of negligence in flood-preparedness. P2 India’s chess scene is experiencing a resurrection, thanks to prodigies like Divya Deshmukh & Gukesh Dommaraju.P3 Excited to be at Toronto Film Festival, Vishal said it felt amazing to be in the spotlight for the film. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:05 AM FRIDAY | 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Jagraon Bridge lane closure leads to ManramsspeedingSUVinto5 two-wheelers, electricity pole traffic chaos in city, repairs underway No casualty reported; power supply affected in area Closed for traffic following collapse of its supporting outer brick wall Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 11 A key lane of the Jagraon Bridge, considered the lifeline of the city’s daily commute, has been closed for vehicular traffic following the collapse of its supporting outer wall. The sudden structural failure has triggered widespread concern and intensified congestion across the city, especially for commuters heading towards Vishkarma Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Jalandhar Bypass and the railway station. Built in 1975, the bridge has long served as a vital artery connecting major junctions in the city. Originally designed to handle around 20,000 vehicles daily, the bridge now bears the load of over 1.25 lakh vehicles — a staggering increase that has placed immense stress on its aging infrastructure. The collapse has exposed the deteriorating condition of the bridge, with chunks of concrete falling off and visible signs of wear. Experts from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College conducted an inspection and confirmed that the outer wall had weakened significantly due to unchecked plant growth and rat infestations. The wall’s The collapsed portion of the supporting outer wall of Jagraon bridge in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN BEARING LOAD OF OVER 1.25L VEHICLES Built in 1975, the Jagraon bridge has long served as a vital artery connecting major junctions in the city. Originally designed to handle around 20,000 vehicles daily, the bridge now bears the load of over 1.25 lakh vehicles — a staggering increase that has placed immense stress on its aging infrastructure. compromised integrity has made immediate reconstruction essential. The Municipal Corporation Commissioner and the Senior Deputy Mayor had inspected the site a few days days before the incident. “The route was already congested and now, it’s a nightmare,” said a local resident, adding “Those heading to Vishkarma Chowk or dropping children at nearby schools are stuck in long delays. We need swift action.” The supporting outer wall had undergone repairs previously but recurring issues suggest deeper structural vulnerabilities. The work has started with efforts to minimise disruption. However, the closure has already caused ripple effects across the city’s traffic network, forcing commuters to seek alternative routes and endure extended travel times. The bridge’s age — nearly 50 years — and the exponential rise in traffic have raised questions about long-term planning and infrastructure resilience. The civic authorities should not only restore the damaged section but also reassess the bridge’s overall capacity and safety, said Gurpal Singh, who regularly regularly commutes through the bridge. Another city resident said earlier also, the bridge was closed due to the construction of a part of the bridge on the one side and now, again it has been closed. It has created traffic hurdles. I go to Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib every day and now I have to take a longer route, due to which a lot of time is wasted,” said Manmeet Kaur. With the civic body working to repair the damaged outer brick wall of the Jagraon bridge, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal inspected the ongoing works on Thursday and issued directions to speed up the same. Officials stated that the repair works would be completed within a week. MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh, Superintending Engineer (SE) Ranjit Singh, Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh, experts from GNDEC were among those others present during the inspection. The MC chief said besides speeding up the work to repair the outer brick wall, the officials concerned had also been directed to expedite the work under the overall project for adding more strength to the bridge. Dachalwal said experts from GNDEC had been roped in for conducting a detailed study and implementing plans wherein they had also been directed to explore options of expanding approach roads of the bridge, towards Vishkarma Chowk. Various steps would also be taken to strengthen the bridge. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 11 A man driving a Toyota Urban Cruiser lost control over the vehicle and banged into five two-wheelers on the Arya School road on Thursday morning. Fortunately, no loss of lives reported in the incident. Four scooters and one motorcycle were damaged by the SUV. Even one electricity pole was also uprooted and it caused blackout in the area. After the accident, people who witnessed the incident brought out the driver from the vehicle. He was aged around 55. Nitish, whose scooter was completely damaged in the accident, said the incident occurred around 10.30 am on Thursday. The speeding Urban Cruiser first hit a shop and then rammed into a motorcycle parked outside the shop. As the driver failed to stop the vehicle, it banged into four other Honda Activa scooters parked outside shops. “When we took out the driver from the vehicle, he was looking tensed. He was seemingly not his senses. He said his son had died two weeks ago and due to the same he was depressed. He lost control over the vehicle and instead of pressing brakes, he pressed acccelator. We called the police and they took the driver to the Police Division 4, “ he said. Had there been people standing on the road, there would have been casualties, he said. Even CCTV cameras also captured the speeding vehicle ramming into the vehicles. Shutter of one of the shops was also damaged as the vehicle had first hit the same, another shopkeeper said, adding that if the SUV owner would compensate all vehicle owners for their losses, they would withdraw their complaints. SHO Inspector Gaganpreet Singh said the man had recently lost his son due to which he was in depression and while driving he mistakenly press acccelator, which led to the accident. Family members of the man, who stays in Sundar Nagar, said they would compensate for all losses caused by the mishap. A resident shows a scooter and power pole hit by the SUV on the Arya School road. INDERJEET VERMA Migrants step up to help flood-hit residents SMO writes to Mann alleging intimidation after refusing to falsify dope test report Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 11 In a powerful display of gratitude and solidarity, migrant workers, many of whom rely on hospitality and opportunities provided by residents of the state, have come forward to support flood-hit families in Sasrali village. Despite being among the most economically vulnerable, these individuals, including daily wage labourers and street vendors, have shown that compassion knows no boundaries. Their selfless efforts to distribute essential relief material reflect a deeprooted bond with the land and people who have embraced them. The relief efforts were led by migrants staying in the state, who stood in solidarity with the affected families, showcasing the spirit of unity and compassion. During their visit, MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi and Punjab Labour Board Mem- Had also submitted a complaint against suspect to police earlier Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Migrants provide relief material to flood-hit residents at Sasrali village in Ludhiana. ber Ajay Mittal encouraged and appreciated the entire team for their selfless service. “Just as Punjab extended help to the needy across the country during the lockdown, our Parvasi brothers have again shown that humanity shines brightest in times of crisis,” Mittal said. In a coordinated effort, the Sherpur Rehri-Farhi Association, Punjab Pravasi Sangh, 100-Foot Vegetable Market and Fish Market, led by Davinder Sherpuri and Dhanu Kumar, joined hands to distribute essential relief materials among flood-hit families. The aid included bananas, bottled drinking water, dry ration and other essential items. The initiative has become a shining example of community-driven humanitarian action. It reflects the values of empathy and collective responsibility that define true humanity. Pre- sent during the relief distribution were notable contributors, including Mukhtyar Singh, Ram Adarsh, Sonu Garg, Vinod Garg, Davinder Sherpuri, Mohit Mittal, Sandeep Singla, Dhanu Singh, Ajay Mittal, Rohit Pal and Rahul Sarwan. “Such acts of solidarity will be remembered for decades, reminding us that in times of adversity, unity and compassion are our greatest strengths,” the MLA said. Ludhiana, September 11 In a dramatic turn of events in Jagraon, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) has written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, raising concerns over pressure and intimidation he allegedly faced after refusing to manipulate a drug test report. It was after he was summoned by a departmental inquiry committee, even though he had earlier lodged a police complaint against a person said to be associated with the local MLA. Dr Harjit Singh, the SMO at the Jagraon Civil Hospital, stated in his letter that on August 27, a person, Sajan Malhotra, came to the hospital with a friend seeking a dope test. Malhotra openly admitted that his friend con- sumed opium but still requested a negative test result. When the SMO refused and advised the man to return after at least three weeks of abstaining from drug usage, things allegedly took an ugly turn. Dr Singh claims the man got aggressive, used abusive language and threatened him with serious consequences. He further alleged that Malhotra claimed to be acting on behalf of the husband of Jagraon’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke. He said following the confrontation, he filed a formal complaint with the SSP but , no action was taken even after over two weeks. In contrast, a swift response was initiated after Malhotra submitted a complaint against him Now, Home Guards jawan caught with tobacco, tablets at jail Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 11 The Central Jail, Ludhiana, on Wednesday arrested a Home Guards jawan deployed on the jail premises for allegedly supplying drugs in the prisons. He allegedly used to supply drugs to prisoners. Officials also recovered narcotic pills, tobacco and capsules from the suspect. The suspect has been on duty in the jail for a long time. The Police Division 7 registered a case against him under the NDPS Act and the Prisons Act. Assistant Superintendent Jail Surinderpal Singh said during checking inside the jail, they recovered 14 intoxi- Not an isolated incident, prison officials were arrested with drugs in past too ing checking. He is a resident of a village located in Khanna. The previous record of the suspect is also being investigated. Even if he supplied tobacoo or drugs to inmates in the past, a probe would also be done to verify facts and further action will be taken against him as per law. ASI Sukhwinder Singh said after registering a case, further investigation was launched by the police. The Central Jail on Tajpur Road in Ludhiana. FILE Past incidents cating tablets, three capsules, three open packets of Cool Lip (tobacoo) and one sealed sachet of tobacoo from Sukhpreet Singh, an employee of the Punjab Home Guards. Jail officials suspected that the suspect used to provide intoxicants to the inmates after getting huge amount of money from them. When senior prison officials got the information, they laid a trap and arrested Sukhpreet dur- Not an isolated case, earlier also officials deployed in the jail for security were arrested with drugs by the department. On July 10, an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) constable deputed at the Ludhiana Cen- c m y b tral Jail was arrested while trying to smuggle banned items into the prison. The suspect, Jagdeep Singh, was caught with 30 gm of loose tobacco and 14 sachets of packed tobacco concealed inside his uniform. A resident of Sujapur village in Sudhar, he had been serving at the Central Jail for the past 14 years. On July 1, a home guard jawan was caught for supplying drugs and mobile phones to inmates in exchange for money. The suspect even received payments through UPI from inmates’ relatives. Even in June this year, the warden at the jail was caught red-handed while attempting to smuggle tobacco into the prisons, hidden inside his socks. The suspect, Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Singhewala in Fazilka district, was caught during a late-night security check. Tobacco seized from man who came to meet his son The police registered a case on the complaint of the Assistant Superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana, after 15 gm of tobacco was recovered from a man who had come to meet his son in the jail. In the complaint sent to the police by jail officials, it was stated that a person, Jonas, a resident of Model Colony, Meharban, came to meet his son and during his frisking, tobacco was recovered from him. A case was registered against him and further investigation was launched. on August 30 to the Health Department, accusing him and his staff of corruption and misconduct. Within days, a committee was formed by Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur and Dr Singh was summoned to appear before it on September 12. In his latest letter addressed to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, Dr Singh voiced frustration and disappointment over what he described as selective action. He emphasised his dedication to the government’s campaign against drug abuse, citing his past recognition and awards for exemplary service. “The irony is stark. I took a stand for integrity but instead of action being taken against those trying to undermine our fight against drugs, I’m being hauled up for questioning” alleged Dr Singh. The Civil Surgeon confirmed that Dr Singh had indeed been summoned to appear before the committee to address the allegations made by Malhotra. On her part, MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke has categorically denied any involvement of her family or party workers in the matter. Dismissing the SMO’s claims, she warned that she intends to raise the issue with the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, accusing Dr Singh of attempting to malign her reputation. “Sajan Malhotra is associated with AAP but that does not mean he was acting on behalf of my family. Any such implication is defamatory and unacceptable,” the MLA said. Saras Mela: ADC chairs meet to discuss arrangements Ludhiana, September 11 Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Amarjit Bains on Wednesday chaired a meeting with officials from various departments to discuss arrangements for the Saras Mela, scheduled to be held from October 4 to 13 at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here. While presiding over the meeting, Bains stated that it was a matter of pride for Ludhiana that hundreds of artisans and artists from different states across the country would participate in the fair. He highlighted that during the 10-day event, artists from various states will showcase their culture and heritage to the public. He said various committees had been formed to ensure smooth arrangements for the mela, including committees for site planning, security, stalls, traffic and parking, health, hospitality, transportation, fire brigade, cultural events, artists, reception, IT wing, grievance redressal, toilets, water and sanitation, VVIP arrangements and electricity. Nodal officers for duty passes, control room, refreshments, decoration, swing safety, discipline, and registration committees has already been appointed. The ADC directed all officials concerned to ensure that their staff diligently perform their duties to make the event a success. — TNS