04032026-LT-01.qxd 3/4/2026 12:51 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENCES BAGS TROPHY HRY BUDGET: A ‘SOFT LAUNCH’ FOR BJP’S PUNJAB DRIVE? CELEBS SHARE THEIR MOST CHERISHED HOLI RITUALS Over 200 take part in athletics meet at vet varsity, College of Veterinary Sciences bags overall trophy. P2 Political message for poll-bound state significant as Saini is more or less leading BJP’s foray into Punjab. P2 From mindful, eco-friendly traditions, celebs share what keeps festival rooted in emotion, warmth & togetherness. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 13°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.23 PM » SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:45 AM WEDNESDAY | 4 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA Trouble for 47 commercial properties located on national highway in city During a survey, GLADA officials identify unauthorised establishments Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 3 Responding to a writ filed by the Ludhiana Citizen Council in the High Court on not permitting any kind of encroachment or illegal construction along the National Highway 95A, passing through Barewal village to Ayali village, field staff of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) conducted a detailed survey of the illegal constructions raised on the connecting road from Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana (NH95A), to Ladhowal (NH-44), passing along both sides of the canal near South City. During the survey, 47 unauthorised commercial establishments constructed along the stretch of the highway were identified which include prominent properties A GLADA official said the authorities will take action if violators fail to stop their activities in illegal structures. FILE of Numi, Sartaj Sweets, Baba Chicken, Bake Fresh, Greenhouse, Kothari Marbles, Basera Properties, Sukhmani Properties, Rajneesh Syal, Regal Proper- ties, Jugnoo and RK Wines. The GLADA authorities have stated: “It is informed to the public that a total of 47 unauthorised commercial establishments were identi- fied along the connecting road from Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana (NH-95A) to Ladhowal (NH-44), passing along both sides of the canal near South City. Several applications pertaining to unauthorised commercial establishments were received for issuance of Regularisation Certificates. After following the due process of law, all such applications have been rejected. In this regard, a detailed status report has already been filed before the High Court. According to a press release issued by GLADA, all violators who have raised illegal constructions on the road stretch from Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana (NH-95A), to Ladhowal (NH-44), passing along both sides of the canal near South City, are hereby requested to remove/demolish the illegal constructions at their own cost immediately. Failing which, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) in discharge of its statutory obligations under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995, will proceed to seal/demolish the constructions as per affidavit filed in the High Court without any further notice and the entire cost incurred on the sealing/demolition will be recovered from the violators concerned in accordance with law. One of the officials with GLADA said it would be better if the violators stop their activities in the illegal structures, else the authorities will take action, whatever required. The trees that were axed on Rani Jhansi Road on Monday night. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN 5 trees axed, authorities deny granting permission for felling Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Man suffers burns as fire breaks out in house kitchen Colours of joy Ludhiana, March 3 A man suffered severe burns when a fire broke out in the kitchen of a house while cooking on Monday night in Gyan Chand Nagar of the Lohara area. The victim has been identified as Gopal Mahato. Mahato works at a nut and bolt manufacturing firm. On Monday night, after returning home from work, he started preparing dinner in the kitchen. When he struck the lighter to light the gas stove, a loud explosion was heard and fire erupted. It is being learnt that LPG had already spread in the room due to a damaged pipe of the cylinder. The fire was so fierce that Gopal got engulfed in flames. Hearing the sound of explosion, residents rushed to the scene and rescued the man. With the help of local residents, he was taken to the Civil Hospital. Doctors provided first aid to him and due to his serious condition, he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, — TNS Ludhiana, March 3 Five fully grown trees that provided shade to hundreds of daily commuters on the busy Rani Jhansi Road were axed late on Monday night. According to local residents, the trees were over 40 years old. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of officials from the Horticulture Department of the Municipal Corporation (MC) and staff of the PSPCL. A government official, requesting anonymity, claimed that permission for the cutting had been granted by the Deputy Commissioner and the MC Commissioner, as the trees were allegedly posing a threat to commuters. The official said an application was filed by a resident, outside whose house the trees were located. Notably, in October 2025, a leading industrialist had submitted the application to the authorities concerned, stating that the trees posed a risk to Appropriate action will be taken after probe, says MC chief passers-by, with branches reportedly entangled in a nearby transformer. The application sought permission to shift the trees, with the applicant offering to bear the entire expenditure for the relocation. A copy of the application is with The Tribune. Following the complaint, meetings were convened by senior officials and an 11-member committee was constituted to assess the situation before arriving at any conclusion. The process was initiated during the tenure of the then MC Commissioner Aditya Dachalwal. However, the Deputy Commissioner, Himanshu Jain, said he had not granted permission to anyone to cut the trees. MC Commissioner Neeru Katyal said the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL) had Bihar man arrested for ‘indecent acts’ City bizman completes marathon on frozen Pangong lake with minor daughter Students celebrate Holi on the campus of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women in Ludhiana on Tuesday. ASHWANI DHIMAN Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 3 A proud moment for Ludhiana as 38-year-old businessman Sandeep Khurana successfully completed the challenging Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon at the famous Pangong Lake. Was only participant from state in unique event Sandeep was the only participant from Punjab in the unique marathon. Otherwise, about 450 participants from across the country and even from Nepal took part in the event. The marathon, which took place at an altitude of 4,350 metres (14,270 feet), ensure running in extreme cold weather of -20°C. He finished the 21-km half marathon in two hours and 57 minutes. It was his Sandeep Khurana after completing the marathon. first marathon and he has decided to take part in the event every year. Sandeep dedicated the marathon to his favourite Bollywood legend Dharmendra. P2 During the race, Sandeep wore a special T-shirt with Dharmendra’s photo on it as a tribute to the actor. His effort was also noticed by actor Sunny Deol, who replied to his post on Instagram and appreciated the tribute. “Congratulations and dher saara pyar”, Sunny Deol replied on Sandeep’s Instagram post. While talking to The Tribune, Sandeep said after he decided to take part in the unique marathon, he prepared for about two-and-ahalf months and gather as much as stamina as he had to run on the frozen lake and that too in the extreme weather conditions. Running on a frozen lake at such a high altitude and low temperature was difficult but he completed the race with determination. “Running on a frozen lake cannot be explained in words, it can only be felt,” he said. When asked about the c m y b reason for participating at such a high altitude, Sandeep said in October last year he visited Ladakh and also the Pangong lake where he saw banners of the scheduled marathon on the frozen lake. Without giving a second thought, he decided to take part in it. “Before taking part in the marathon, every participant has to stay in camps for eight days where they climatise the participants so that no one face any issues during the event. They give training and share tips to take part in the challenging race. Though I couldn’t get the first three positions but it was a good and learning experience to be part of the event and I would continue to participate in the same,” the businessman said. Sandeep’s achievement is an inspiration for many people in Punjab, showing that with dedication and hard work, any goal can be achieved. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 3 In a shocking incident, a man has been arrested for allegedly performing indecent acts with his minor daughter. The suspect allegedly exploited the girl repeatedly and also threatened her of dire consequences if she dared to narrate the incident to anyone. According to reports, the suspect used to wait for his wife to leave the house before committing the crime. Refused to bear the exploitation any more, the minor showed courage by using a phone to record a video of her father in while he was engaging in such acts. Later, the girl informed her mother about his actions. After receiving information, the Koom Kalan police swung into action. Inspector Paramdeep Singh, SHO, Koom Kalan police station, said the police treated the sensitive matter with high priority. The suspect was identified as Mohammad Shamsuddin, a native of Bihar. A case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, based on a formal complaint filed by the suspect’s wife. The man was arrested on Monday following the investigation. During the probe, the SHO revealed that suspect’s two elder daughters were already married. He resided in a rented room in a village under the jurisdiction of the Koom Kalan police station with his wife, a son, and the minor daughter. received an application highlighting concerns over public safety. She clarified that permission had been granted only to shift the trees to an alternative location at the applicant’s expense, ensuring proper care of the trees, prevention of infrastructure damage and public safety. “No permission for tree cutting has been granted. If any violation of the granted permission has taken place, it will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” she added. The axing of the trees has sparked concern among environmentalists, who stated that if it was established that the trees were felled without due permission, they would take up the matter with the authorities concerned. Kuldip Khaira of the Public Action Committee said shifting and cutting of trees were entirely different matters and the issue would be examined in detail. NRI woman writes to PM, demands justice in land grabbing cases Ludhiana, March 3 An NRI from France, Joginder Kaur Sandhu (79), has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought justice in land grabbing cases and fake cases allegedly slapped against her by the police. She alleged that some corrupt police officials had connived with land mafia and slapped fake cases against her. “I have sent a number of letters to the Chief Minister but to no avail. Now, I have written to the Prime Minister and hope that the Centre will pass on instructions to the state government for providing help and justice to me,” she said. The NRI said she had been fighting for justice for over decades. Now, she would not leave the country till she gets justice. Goons of land mafia had assaulted her and even tried to barge into her house but she escaped. She alleged that one of her bungalows was earlier illegally possessed by the land mafia, the possession of which was reclaimed by her after a long battle. — TNS