17122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/16/2025 11:40 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 21°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 8°C JUHI BABBAR HOLDS AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND WITH SOLO ACT TEACHERS HOLD PROTEST OVER DEATH OF COLLEAGUES BLACK WARRANT SWEEPS TOP HONOURS AT OTT AWARDS Monday evening saw the very talented Juhi Babbar Soni performing her latest theatre production. P2 Teachers from various government schools in Tarn Taran staged a protest over the death of teacher couple. P2 Jaideep Ahlawat, Ananya Panday, Sanya Malhotra Vikramaditya Motwane & Abhishek Banerjee win big at the event. P4 » » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.29 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7.24 AM WEDNESDAY | 17 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR sewer lines State-of-the-art mandi proposed to MC to upgrade water,AMRUT 2.0 in all 85 wards under address infrastructure gaps at Vallah Tribune News Service Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 The Punjab Government’s announcement to set up a state-of-the-art mandi spread over 300 acres in Amritsar for marketing dry and fresh fruit may finally end the over twodecade-long wait for basic amenities at the Vallah Sabji Mandi, which currently serves as the city’s wholesale market for fresh vegetables and fruit. Sources in the government said the Vallah mandi may be shifted to the proposed 300acre market, which will also include dry fruit trading as a key component. The holy city has historically been a hub of dry fruit trade due to its proximity to the Himalayan region and the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, through which dry and fresh fruit from Afghanistan enters India. More than two decades after the mandi was shifted from the city to the outskirts, it still lacks basic amenities such as proper roads, sewerage and toilets. Infrastructure facilities like a Kisan Bhawan, fruit ripening plant, cold storages and other components mentioned in the Spread over about 100 acres in the Vallah area, more than 500 commission agents handle nearly 600 tonnes of vegetables and fruit daily, sourced from across the country. original blueprint remain only on paper. Spread over about 100 acres in the Vallah area, more than 500 commission agents handle nearly 600 tonnes of vegetables and fruit daily, sourced from across the country. In addition, exotic varieties of fruit are imported from overseas, including the US, China and Indonesia. The primary reason cited for the lack of basic and advanced infrastructure is the presence of the Vallah ammunition depot of the Army in the vicinity of the mandi. Kanwaljit Singh Pahwa, a wholesale trader, said the ammunition depot came into existence in 2004, the same year the wholesale fruit and vegetable market was shifted from the congested city area to Vallah. Restrictions on construction within a radius of 1,000 yards of the depot have prevented the development of shops and permanent structures. He added that even basic amenities such as toilets and concrete sheds to protect traders from cold waves and rainwater were not permitted. At present, the market committee is carrying out repairs of roads and sheds, but construction of new buildings continues to be disallowed. Around 75 traders who were relocated from the old Sabzi Mandi outside Hall Gate were allotted space in the new market in 2004. They have been demanding speedy implementation of rules to enable the development of a modern mandi with all essential facilities. In the absence of a fruit ripening plant, consumers are often forced to consume fruit ripened using harmful chemicals, as the government has failed to establish a scientific ripening facility. Surinder Singh, a fruit trader, said the holy city, with a population of about 15 lakh and a high floating population, requires a large supply of fruit. He added that pack houses play a crucial role in ripening fruit in cold stores using ethylene gas at a controlled temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Fruits such as papaya, banana and apple are often sold after being ripened using crude chemical calcium carbide (CaC2), popularly known as “masala”. Due to its hazardous effects on human health, the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening is completely banned in many states across the country. Amritsar, December 16 The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) will undertake repair and upgradation of water supply and sewerage lines across all 85 wards of the city under the Atal Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation Mission (AMRUT) 2.0. The project, with an estimated cost of about Rs 23 crore, is targeted for completion by March 31, 2026. Under the scheme, new water and sewerage pipelines will be laid wherever required, while old and damaged lines will be replaced. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce issues related to contaminated water supply and frequent sewerage blockages, with the maximum benefit likely to accrue to the West Assembly constituency, which records the highest number of sewerage-related complaints. In addition to pipeline works, the MC will procure machinery worth around Rs 7 crore. With the induction of advanced equipment, including super sucker machines, the civic body aims to strengthen its capacity to handle sewerage choke-ups more efficiently. Officials said the availability of modern machinery would ensure faster redressal of public com- The project, with an estimated cost of about Rs 23 crore, is targeted for completion by March 31, 2026. FILE PHOTO plaints. The project is also linked to the expansion of the Khaparkhedi Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). Once its capacity is enhanced, nearly three lakh residents are expected to get relief from sewerage-related problems. Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia said tenders for development works under AMRUT 2.0 had already been floated. He added that the projects were being implemented to address ward-level issues raised by councillors and to provide long-term solutions to water and sewerage problems across the city. The arrival of new machinery next year, he said, would benefit all Assembly constituencies. The MC will also provide one super sucker machine for every Assembly constituency. Tenders floated for the purchase of machinery are currently under scrutiny in Chandigarh and the process is expected to be completed within a week. Thereafter, a 21day tender will be issued for procurement. Once the tender process is completed, the new machinery will be purchased. At present, the municipal corporation has four super sucker machines. With the addition of one more, each Assembly constituency will have its own machine, ensuring quicker resolution of sewerage blockage complaints and improvement in overall civic services. Youth found dead in vacant plot, Special drive yields recovery of 53 stolen vehicles in city police investigation underway Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 The body of an unidentified youth was found in a vacant plot along Ram Tirath Road here on Tuesday, triggering panic among residents of nearby localities. The identity of the deceased has not been established so far. As news of the recovery spread, a large number of locals gathered at the spot. Residents alleged that drug addicts frequently assemble at the vacant plot where the body was found. According to locals, prima facie, the death appears to have been caused by a drug overdose. On receiving information, the police reached the spot and took the body into custody. SHO Lovepreet Singh said that no visible injury marks were found on the body during the preliminary examination. However, a tattoo bearing the name “Gopi” was found on the youth’s hand, leading the police to suspect that his name could be Gopi. The police showed photographs of the deceased to people in surrounding areas in an attempt to establish his identity, but no one could identify him. Preliminary investigations also suggest that the deceased was not a resident of the area. Police officials said the exact cause of death would be ascertained only after the post-mortem examination. The body has been sent for post-mortem and will be preserved for 72 hours for identification. If no family member comes forward during this period, further action will be taken as per norms. Meanwhile, the police have initiated an investigation from all angles and are scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the circumstances leading to the youth’s death. Locals further alleged that drugs are being sold openly in the area, but despite repeated complaints, no concrete action has been taken by the administration or the government. They questioned the government’s claims of curbing the drug menace, stating that the ground reality presents a different picture. Amritsar, December 16 In a major breakthrough, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police recovered 53 stolen vehicles during a special anti-theft drive conducted across all three police zones of the city. The drive was carried out on the directions of Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and under the supervision of DCP (Law and Order) Alam Vijay Singh and DCP (City) Jagjit Singh Walia, along with ADCPs and ACPs, who closely monitored operations in their respective jurisdictions. According to police officials, a total of 20 FIRs were registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), leading to the recovery of two-wheelers and four-wheelers stolen from different parts of the city. The recoveries were made follow- The two-wheelers recovered by the police during a special drive in Amritsar on Tuesday. ing sustained investigation, technical surveillance and coordinated field operations by police teams. Zone-1 accounted for the recovery of 21 vehicles in connection with seven FIRs registered at the C-Division, Islamabad, Gate Hakima, DDivision and E-Division police stations. The recovered vehicles included Activas and motorcycles. Zone-2 police recovered five vehicles against four FIRs registered at the Civil Lines and Cantonment police stations. The recovered vehicles included Activas, motorcycles and one car. Zone-3 emerged as the most successful during the drive, with 27 vehicles recovered in nine FIRs registered at the A-Divi- sion, B-Division, Maqboolpura and Vallah police stations. The recovered vehicles included motorcycles, Activas, cars, trucks and a scooter. Police officials said the overall recovery comprised 26 Activas, 22 motorcycles, two cars, two trucks and one scooter. The vehicles are being verified and will be returned to their rightful owners after completion of legal formalities. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar reiterated the department’s commitment to curbing vehicle theft and appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, use proper locking systems and immediately report thefts to the nearest police station. He added that similar targeted drives will continue in the coming days to further tighten the noose around vehicle theft gangs operating in the city. Ahead of 450th year, Chalo Amritsar walk flags environmental concerns in city Neha Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 Amritsar is often called “Sifti Da Ghar”, or the home of the virtuous. Founded as Ramdasspur by Guru Ram Das, the city was established as a centre of commerce, spirituality and sewa. However, in the present context, one is compelled to observe that virtue finds little reflection in littered streets, clogged and choked drains, and polluted air. Historically, Bibi Bhani, also known as Mata Bhani, played a sacred role in shaping Ramdaspur. Today, inspired by that legacy, 11 women, along with citizens, community representatives and people of all ages, came together to take responsibility and figuratively call for a collective cleaning of Amritsar. Ahead of the 450th foundation anniversary of Residents from different parts of the state take part in the Chalo Amritsar walk in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar in 2027, a womenled citizens’ collective under the banner ‘Chalo Amritsar’ organised a pub- lic walk from the Hall Gate to the Heritage Street. Par- c m y b ticipants included women who travelled from Bathinda, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar to Amritsar to highlight environmental issues affecting Guru Ki Nagri and to submit proposals to the Punjab Government. The collective highlighted the Bhagtanwala landfill, located about 1.5 kilometres from the Golden Temple and near the Dana Mandi, as a major environmental concern. “There have been reports proving that emissions from the site affect air quality, public health and food safety across the city. It is also causing deterioration of the gold plating at the Golden Temple. We have called for an immediate halt to dumping, continued scientific remediation of the landfill, and long-term waste management solutions,” said Dr Navneet Bhullar from Jalandhar. According to the group, addressing the Bhagtanwala issue is critical as Amritsar receives lakhs of visitors daily, and environmental conditions across the city directly affect public health, heritage spaces and the quality of life of residents. As Samita Kaur, Director of Vatrukh Foundation, said, “Celebrations are important and meaningful, but they will remain incomplete if we do not address the environmental challenges the city is facing. Scientific evidence on air quality, waste emissions and public health clearly points to the need for long-term environmental planning. Amritsar has been declared a holy city, yet the impact of waste and air pollution is deteriorating its very existence.” She added, “Amritsar’s 450th anniversary should be used as a moment to reflect on the city’s future. Marking 450 years should therefore com- bine celebration with evidencebased action that safeguards the city for decades to come.” To mark the foundation year, Chalo Amritsar proposed the creation of 450 bagichas (orchards) across Amritsar district, each with 450 native trees, aimed at improving green cover, supporting biodiversity and aiding groundwater recharge. Indu Aurora, president of Voice of Amritsar, said clean air and dignified public spaces are essential to preserving the character of Guru Ki Nagri, given the scale of daily footfall from India and abroad. “We as people have also failed the city by becoming complacent in the crime of polluting our surroundings. If we take responsibility, no outsider needs to clean our streets. It is shameful,” she said. Dr Amrita Rana, a resident who joined in solidari- ty, said unmanaged landfills have direct public health implications, contributing to respiratory illnesses and unsafe food environments, and stressed the need for timely intervention. Pallavi, a Chandigarh resident who was part of the walk, said, “I feel deeply connected to the city and the cause. As a Chandigarh resident, I understand how citizen responsibility can drive change.” Members of the Chalo Amritsar collective include Indu Aurora, Samita Kaur, Dr Navneet Bhullar, Dr Amrita Rana, Pallavi Luthra Kapoor, Swaranjit Kaur, Preet Dhanoa, Shweta Mehra, Dr Simarpreet Sandhu, Ripanjot Bagga, Ritu Malhan and Manpreet Khaira. Other members include Dr Manjeet Singh, Tarundeep Singh Ghuman, Bhushan Malik and Yogesh Kamra.