30102025-ATR-01.qxd 10/30/2025 12:12 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY USE OF MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING GOES UNABATED IN CITY GOVT PLANS TO HONE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS BADAA KARARA PUDNA IS A STORY OF SIX SPIRITED SISTERS The menace of using mobile phones while driving continues unchecked on the roads of Amritsar. P2 The Punjab Education Minister has launched "The English Edge - Learn Smart, Speak Sharp" programme. P2 The cast—Upasana Singh, Kulraj Randhawa and Mannat Singh— perform their energetic title song in Chandigarh. P4 » » » MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.42 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.45 AM THURSDAY | 30 OCTOBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Vidhan Sabha panel reviews schemes for SC/ST, BC students Vidhan Sabha, said the committee’s primary aim is to ensure effective execution of government welfare initiatives and to address any challenges that may arise in their implementation. She emphasised that “no student should face discrimination at any level,” and that all students must receive the benefits they are entitled to in a fair and timely manner. The committee also recommended that all welfare schemes be periodically reviewed to ensure that no eligible student is deprived of benefits. During the interaction, the committee raised queries related to a few student grievances, which were promptly addressed by the university authorities. Dr Vikram Sandhu, Nodal Officer, presented a detailed report on the activities and schemes implemented by the university for the welfare of students from reserved categories. The committee also suggested strengthening and separating the nodal cell and student counselling mechanism, allowing students to discuss personal or academic issues confidentially with designated officers and counsellors. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 A welfare committee of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha On Wednesday visited Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) to review the implementation of government welfare schemes for students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Backward Classes (BC). The committee, led by Chairperson Saravjit Kaur Manuke and members Amit Rattan, Dr Jasbir Sandhu, Dr Nachhatar Pal, Dalbir Singh Tong, Jagsir Singh and other Vidhan Sabha staff, met Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh. The Vice-Chancellor apprised the committee that the university has been implementing all government welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes students. He highlighted that the institution has been making sustained efforts to reduce dropout rates, disburse scholarships on time and introduce employmentoriented programmes to empower students from reserved categories. Saravjit Kaur Manuke, Chairperson of the welfare committee of the Punjab Massive traffic jams in parts of city as Valmiki community blocks key bridge Members of the Valmiki community hold a protest at Bhandari Bridge; and (right) a massive traffic jam on a bridge near Husan Pura in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 Thousands of commuters were left stranded on Wednesday as several people from the Valmiki community blocked the Bhandari Bridge, the lifeline connecting the old walled city with the Civil Lines area, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours. Residents expressed anger over the utter mismanagement by the district administration and the police, even though the agitators had reportedly informed officials a day prior to the PROTEST STEMS FROM INTERNAL DISPUTE protest. The ongoing construction of the Rigo Bridge, which has been delayed for years, further compounded the traffic chaos. The agitation stemmed from an internal dispute within the Valmiki community over the installation of a religious flag at the Valmiki Tirath (Ram Tirath Temple) complex. One group had installed a red-coloured flag on October 27, led by community representative Om Parkash Gabbar, while opposing factions demanded a different flag colour. The opposing groups had earlier submitted a memorandum ■ The agitation stemmed from an internal dispute within the Valmiki community over the installation of a religious flag at the Valmiki Tirath (Ram Tirath Temple) complex. One group had installed a red-coloured flag on October 27, led by community representative Om Parkash Gabbar, while opposing factions demanded a different coloured flag. ■ The opposing groups had earlier submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh and announced their plan to hold a two-day protest by blocking traffic at Bhandari Bridge. to Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh and announced their plan to hold a two-day protest by blocking traffic at Bhandari Bridge. As the dharna began early in the morning, severe traffic congestion was reported across the city. Commuters expressed frustration at the administration’s failure to prepare diversion plans despite advance notice. “When the authorities already knew that a blockade at Bhandari Bridge would paralyse city traffic, they should not have allowed it. If they did, they should have ensured proper diversions for smooth movement,” said Ravinder Sharma, a motorcyclist stuck in the jam. Emergency vehicles and schoolchildren were among the worst affected. Many residents were forced to take alternate routes, with several seen crossing railway lines at the 22 Number crossing in Islamabad, a stretch closed for normal traffic since the construction of the flyover. “You can imagine the desperation of people trying to find a way out of the chaos,” said Anita Kumari, a resident who, along with her son, was 100 new streetlights to Day after Chhath Puja ends, Upper Bari Doab Canal banks turn messy at Tara Wala Pul brighten Phagwara Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 29 The Phagwara Municipal Corporation has launched a project to install 100 70-watt streetlights across various parts of the city at a cost of Rs 5.33 lakh. The initiative was launched today by senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Punjab minister Joginder Singh Mann at Palahie Road. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mayor Rampal Uppal, ADC-cumMunicipal Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta, and other civic officials. Mann said residents in several areas of the city had been facing difficulties during night hours due to malfunctioning or damaged streetlights. He added that newly developed localities under the corporation’s jurisdiction also lacked proper lighting, causing inconvenience to the public. “To address these civic issues and ensure public safety, the Municipal Corporation, under the supervi- sion of Mayor Rampal Uppal, has initiated this streetlight installation project,” Mann said. He assured residents that the corporation remains committed to resolving local problems and ensuring basic amenities at the ward level. Mann further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Department of Local Govern- ment is carrying out development works with dedication. He emphasised that the government has prioritised urban development, allocating sufficient funds for civic projects. Those present at the event included Councillor Padamdev Sudhir Nika, Councillor Harpreet Singh Bhogal, Block President Arjan Sudhir, and other prominent residents of the area. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 A day after the conclusion of the four-day Chhath Puja, remains of offerings and articles used during the religious ceremony were still scattered around Tara Wala Pul, which falls near the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) on the outskirts of the city. A visit to the site by The Tribune team revealed that the aftermath of the celebrations was clearly visible — the area remained unclean, with remnants of offerings littered across the venue, as no cleanup had been carried out. What once reflected festive devotion has now turned into a scene of neglect and environmental concern, with heaps of garbage, discarded offerings, and broken clay idols strewn along the canal. Large quantities of waste, including polythene bags, food remnants, flowers, and religious materials, were found floating in the canal and scattered along its embankments. The roads leading to the ghats also presented an unhygienic sight, with litter accumulating at PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ~5.33 lakh project launched by ex-minister Mann Garbage lies strewn along the banks of the Upper Bari Doab Canal in Amritsar on Wednesday. every corner. Harish Shingari, a resident living opposite the site, remarked that people perform religious ceremonies with great devotion but fail to show the same enthusiasm when it comes to cleaning up afterwards. He said organisers of such events should be held accountable for post-event waste management, as they bring together large gatherings and consequently gen- erate significant waste. He added that organisers must arrange dustbins, awareness drives, and cleanup teams, while municipal authorities should ensure proper waste disposal, recycling, and large-scale cleaning. “Cleanliness is a joint responsibility. When organisers, authorities, and citizens work together, public spaces remain clean and respectful,” he said. The District Forest Office is located near the site. Rajesh Kumar, District Forest Officer, said that a thorough cleaning drive was conducted before the festival began, and trolleys were arranged to lift refuse. However, after the festival concluded, no follow-up cleaning was done. He added that he would write to the Municipal Corporation requesting immediate cleaning of the area. Amritsar, October 29 Even as the Punjab Chief Minister recently announced during a rally in Tarn Taran that 19,000 kilometres of roads across the state would be repaired and upgraded, residents along the Khasa-Bakna road say their long wait for repairs continues. While road recarpeting work in the poll-bound Tarn PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Commuters suffer as Khasa-Bakna road remains broken, unsafe The Khasa-Bakna road in a pitiable condition near Amritsar. Taran Assembly constituency is progressing rapidly and the Amritsar-Jhabal road has been freshly resurfaced, the Khasa-Bakna stretch remains riddled with potholes and broken patches. This road, which lies outside the Tarn Taran constituency, connects nearly three dozen villages in the border belt, but its poor condition has made c m y b travel extremely difficult for daily commuters, farmers and schoolchildren. Locals complain that despite repeated appeals to officials, the road has not seen any improvement for years. “Every time we hear about new road projects, we hope ours will be included too, but it’s always left out,” said a shopkeeper along the route. Residents say that during the monsoon, the road becomes nearly impassable, with rainwater collecting in large potholes and causing frequent damage to vehicles. “The government must remember that we are part of the same state,” said Jagtar Singh, a farmer from a nearby village, urging the authorities to start repair work before the winter season sets in. Villagers also expressed frustration over what they described as “selective development” in election-bound areas while others are ignored. The Khasa-Bakna road serves as a vital link for transporting agricultural produce and connecting rural communities to Amritsar city. — TNS seen lifting her scooter to cross the railway track. Later in the day, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and DIG (Border Range) Sandeep Goel reached Bhandari Bridge to pacify the agitators. The protest was called off in the evening after the Deputy Commissioner assured them of appropriate action. The protesters demanded the registration of an FIR against those who installed the red flag and the removal of the flag from the temple complex. CM Mann to lay stone of Bikraur govt college in Nov Amritsar, October 29 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will lay the foundation stone of a new government college at Bikraur village in Ajnala next month. This was announced by MLA and former Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal while addressing a gathering of sarpanches from various villages of the constituency. Ajnala, a border town that recently faced devastating floods, is known as the capital of the Rai Sikh community, with a large population residing in Balwar and surrounding villages. Dhaliwal said that a new government college, approved at a cost of Rs 15 crore, will be built on 15 acres of land in the border village of Bikraur. He said the college would benefit students from 50-55 nearby villages, especially those facing challenges in accessing higher education. “With new-age courses in computers, artificial intelligence and digital skills, students will be able to prepare themselves for small jobs and self-employment, contributing to the vision of Digital India,” Dhaliwal said. He further informed that admissions will begin in MayJune 2026, after the declaration of Class XII results for the 2026-27 academic session. “With the opening of this new government college at Bikraur, the number of government colleges in Punjab will increase to 48. This will be the first government college in the border belt established by our government,” Dhaliwal added. — TNS