27022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/26/2026 11:47 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY JUNOON-E-PUNJAB EVENT CONCLUDES AT GNDU BAKING SOME LOVE ON SHIMLA’S MALL ROAD FROM BOARDROOM BASICS TO BOLD FASHION STATEMENT The two-day Junoon-e-Punjab cultural festival, held under ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign, ended on Thursday. P2 National Bakers located on the Mall Road in Shimla offers delicious cakes, burgers, patties, momos, cookies. P4 MAX 26°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 11°C How Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, Isha Koppikar & others are redefining power dressing. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.26 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.59 AM » FRIDAY | 27 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Focal Point fire station faces structural decay, claims Bassi Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 26 Serious concerns have been raised over the condition of the fire station at Focal Point in Amritsar. The building is reportedly in a dilapidated state and lacks basic amenities for personnel deployed there round the clock. Dinesh Bassi, former chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust and a senior Congress leader, visited the site and highlighted the issues faced by the staff. According to available information, deep cracks have developed in the walls of the fire station, while concrete is peeling off the roof. During rainfall, water seeps into the office, flooding rooms and creating hazardous working conditions. “Firefighters, who are tasked with saving lives and property, are themselves compelled to function from an unsafe structure. There is no proper toilet facility or access to clean drinking water. During the monsoon season, sewage water enters the office premises, further compounding health risks. Snakes have also been spotted within the premises. Fire brigade vehicles are parked in the open without a protective shed, exposing them to Neha Saini Tribune News Service Congress leader Dinesh Bassi along with others during a visit to the fire station at Focal Point in Amritsar on Thursday. damage due to weather conditions,” Bassi said. He added that leaking water from the roof has heightened fears of short circuits, as electric wires and switchboards remain exposed to moisture. “There is a constant risk of electrocution or a major accident,” he said. The station was inaugurated on September 16, 2023, by MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur and was projected as a major achievement at the time. However, staff members claim that little attention has been paid to their safety and basic facilities since its inauguration. Bassi said Rs 1.83 crore had been sanctioned for the building and demanded a high-level probe into the utilisation of funds. He also alleged that promises to regularise contractual employees ahead of the Assembly elections have not been fulfilled. He demanded immediate repairs, implementation of the principle of “equal pay for equal work,” and regularisation of staff, warning of a strong agitation if corrective steps are not taken soon. Amritsar-Nangal Dam Express resumes ahead of Hola Mohalla Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 26 With an eye on the 2027 Assembly elections, the AAP-led Punjab Government and its MLAs in Amritsar have been actively launching and inaugurating development projects across the city. While the holy city has witnessed more challenging times in the past, over the last two years civic health and infrastructure have become subjects of growing concern and debate, particularly waste management and water contamination in low-lying areas. Despite nearly four years of governance under the Aam Aadmi Party government, many of these issues persist. However, with the Assembly polls approaching, AAP MLAs have become increasingly visible at inaugurations promising improved road networks and municipal infrastructure. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, MLA from the Amritsar (South) Assembly constituency, on Thursday launched construction work on a new sewerage pipeline in Ward Nos. 45 and 50 in Sharma Colony. The area has long grappled with water contamination and sewerage disposal issues, particularly Amritsar, February 26 A police constable was allegedly attacked and injured by a group of protesters who had blocked traffic near Rajasansi on the Ajnala Road on February 18. The police have registered a case under Sections 109, 221, 132, 115(2), and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, no arrests have been made so far. According to a complaint lodged by senior constable Amarjit Singh during the monsoon season. Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Sonia Mann inaugurated a road construction project in the Rajasansi constituency on Wednesday. The project will connect several villages along the Amritsar-Fatehgarh route via Bua Nangli, Loharka Kalan and Rajasansi to Adliwala Road, and from Adliwala to Muglani Kot Ranewali-Dera Sucha Singh. Approximately 16 km of roads are being constructed at a cost of Rs 7.71 crore. Ajay Gupta, MLA from Amritsar Central, also inspect- ed the Khapar Khedi Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) along with Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill, Municipal Corporation officials and Punjab Water Supply Mallia resident falls victim to online banking fraud The train, which was earlier scheduled to be restored on March 1, was advanced by a few days and restarted on February 25. faction over the early resumption of the service. Gurpreet Singh, who arrived at the railway station to board the train, said he had initially planned to travel to Sri Anandpur Sahib by bus. “When I came to know that the Nangal Dam Express had resumed service, I immediately decided to travel by train and reached the station with my luggage at the scheduled time,” he said, terming the Railways’ decision commendable. Railway authorities further informed that, apart from the Amritsar-Nangal Dam Express, eight other trains are expected to resume operations in the first week of March for various destinations, which is likely to ease travel for pilgrims and regular commuters. Tarn Taran, February 26 A resident of Mallia village was allegedly duped of Rs 2.55 lakh after an online fraudster hacked his mobile phone and siphoned money from his bank account through a series of online transactions. In a complaint lodged with the local Cyber Crime police station, Dilbagh Singh stated that around four months ago, he began receiving multiple messages on his mobile phone regarding withdrawals of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 at frequent intervals. Before he could respond, a total of Rs 1.85 lakh had been debited from his bank account through successive online transactions. The complainant further alleged that the fraudster not only gained unauthorised access to his mobile phone but also availed a loan of Rs 90,000 through his bank continued on page 2 8 named in FIR after attack on police constable Tribune News Service Dr Ajay Gupta, AAP MLA from Amritsar Central, and; (below) Inderbir Singh Nijjar, MLA from (South) Assembly constituency, inaugurate projects in different parts of the city on Thursday. and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) authorities, seeking an expansion of its capacity to address waste treatment concerns. The Khapar Khedi STP con, structed in 2012 with a capacity of 95 MLD, is currently receiving nearly 110 MLD of sewage daily due to the expansion of the Central Assembly constituency and the rise in commercial establishments. Dr Gupta said that the inadequate capacity has led to delays in treatment and frequent backflow, causing sewerage problems in nearby areas. Work to increase the plant’s capacity began in May 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 96 crore. Dr Gupta claimed that around 35 per cent of the work has been completed and directed officials to ensure the project is finished by November 2026 to provide relief to residents. Karamjit Singh Rintu, Chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust and in-charge of the party’s North Assembly constituency, has also been focusing on beautification projects. He recently inaugurated renovation work at Anand Park, a site that had undergone similar upgrades earlier, involving substantial public expenditure. Our Correspondent PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, February 26 The Amritsar-Nangal Dam Express resumed operations on Wednesday after a gap of nearly two and a half months, bringing cheer to devotees planning to travel to Sri Anandpur Sahib for the upcoming Hola Mohalla festival. The train service, which was earlier scheduled to be restored on March 1, was advanced by a few days and restarted on February 25 by Ferozepur division, keeping in view the religious congregation. On Wednesday, the train departed from Amritsar at its scheduled time of 2 pm for Sri Anandpur Sahib. Around 200 passengers boarded the train on the first day. Railway officials said the number is expected to double in the coming days as the festival approaches. The train had remained suspended from December to February due to dense fog, which disrupted rail traffic across the region during the winter months. Passengers expressed satis- Eye on 2027 polls, AAP MLAs step up project inaugurations in city (31), who is posted with the Amritsar Rural Police, he was on his way to Rajasansi to execute court warrants in a case under the NDPS Act. The warrants had been issued by the court of Additional Sessions Judge Monica Sharma, Amritsar, against an accused and his surety in an earlier case. The complainant stated that when he reached the Rajasansi road stretch, protesters were staging a dharna on both sides of the road, causing a traffic jam. As he attempted to take an alternative route on his motorcycle, the protesters allegedly stopped him. He alleged that eight to nine individuals attacked him with the intent to cause serious harm, manhandled him, and threw his motorcycle to the ground. He further alleged that the accused snatched his bag containing official documents, including summons and warrants, and fled the spot. The injured constable managed to escape and was later taken by ASI Malkeet Singh to the Civil Hospital in Lopoke. Due to a head injury, he was subsequently referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, for further treatment. The police have named Gurpartap Singh, alias Gopi, of Ball Khurd; Baljinder Singh of Nangli; Neeraj Singh of Ranewali; and Karan Singh of Naushehra Colony on Majitha Road, along with five to six unidentified persons, in the FIR. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report, and further investigation is underway. c m y b Turn your skills into a powerful portfolio - master real projects through hands-on modules! Introduction to AI & AI Tools AI Creativity & Presentations Workshop Building with AI: Websites, Games & Apps AI Avatars & Chatbot Development From Idea to Business Plan (Launch Your First AI Project) Recap & Finale Registrations Open Now Course Begins: 04.04.2026 MASTER AI- SHAPE THE FUTURE A comprehensive AI Certification Course : Designed exclusively for students from Class 6 to 12 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence Data, Automation & Real-World Use Cases AI Education by Certified & Experienced Faculty No coding experience required SCAN TO REGISTER While others wait, smart students are already building apps, games & tools. Equip yourself with the #1 skill of the 21st century! Inaugural Offer: ₹ 9,999 [Full Fees: ₹ 15 000] 15,000] Register Online at learning.tribuneindia.com For more information learnaiwithtribune@tribunemail.com