14042026-LT-01.qxd 4/14/2026 1:03 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 6K SANITATION WORKERS REIGN OVER ‘STINKY’ CITY MC chief says committee formed for additional hiring, discussions on for biometric attendance. P2 » AGRI VARSITY ADDS 50 TRACTORS TO FLEET PAU officials say the purchases are supported by the Centre and the state government. P2 » THE MAKING OF UPCOMING SERIES MATKA KING FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 36°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.48 PM Actor Vijay Varma talks about his character Brij Bhatti in upcoming series Matka King P4 SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:48 AM » TUESDAY | 14 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA ~3.5 cr to design mere 15 km stretch: Oppn fumes over ‘wasteful’ spending 225 girls against target of 40K: Not many takers for HPV vax Manav Mander Tribune News Service ~165-cr project aims to turn road space across 10 key corridors into user-friendly urban streets Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 The award of a Rs 3.5 crore consultancy tender by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) for designing a 15-km-long “world-class” road network has triggered criticism from residents and opposition leaders, who alleged that the move reflects a serious misuse of public funds. As per official details, the consultancy contract is limited to the design component of the project while the actual construction cost is estimated at Rs 165 crore. However, the design cost alone approximately Rs 23.5 lakh per kilometre has raised eyebrows, with many questioning its justification. The project, termed as a ‘ World-Class Streets Project’, aims to transform 15 km of road space across 10 key corridors into userfriendly urban streets. The plan includes the development of 5.3 km of footpaths, 15.7 km of dedicated cycle lanes and the plantation of 3,633 trees. Key stretches identified The plan includes development of 5.3 km of footpaths and 15.7 km of cycle lanes. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN under the project include the Old GT Road from Sherpur Chowk to Jagraon Bridge, which is to be reconfigured for smoother traffic flow and Ghumar Mandi Road from Fountain Chowk to Aarti Cinema, where pedestrian accessibility will be prioritised. Gill Road and Model Town Road are also part of the redevelopment plan. In addition, the 200-Feet Road (Missing Link2, Part C) has been proposed as a major 200-ft-wide corri- dor to improve connectivity between Ferozepur Road and Malerkotla Road. Despite these proposed upgrades, the high consultancy cost has not gone down well with residents and civic bodies. Questions are being raised over why such a large amount is being spent solely on the design phase. Kuldeep Khaira, representing the Public Action Committee (PAC), termed the expenditure alarming. 28-yr-old man ends life over ‘infidelity’ nurse booked , Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 A 28-year-old electrician reportedly died by suicide by hanging himself at a bungalow in the Ayali Kalan area. The victim, identified as Sohan Singh, was working at the site when he took the step. The Sarabha Nagar police have registered a case against a nurse of Kamalpur village, on the basis of a suicide note recovered from the spot. The complainant, Mohan Singh, a resident of Rurka Kalan in Mullanpur and the victim’s brother, stated that Sohan had been working as an electrician in Ludhiana for several years. Around four years ago, he met the Suicide note names suspect, probe on woman, who was employed as a nurse at the DMCH. The two subsequently entered into a relationship. According to the complainant, Sohan intended to marry the woman. He further alleged that for the past four years, the suspect had been taking Sohan’s entire earnings. However, a few weeks ago, the victim found that the woman allegedly wanted to end the relationship and was involved with another man. “Unable to bear the mental agony and the alleged betrayal, Sohan ended his life at the villa where he was carrying out the electrical work,” the complainant said. In the note, the victim held the woman responsible for his death. Investigating officer ASI Baljinder Singh said the body was sent for a postmortem examination. “A case has been registered against the suspect based on the statement of the victim’s brother and the suicide note. Raids are being conducted to nab her, she will be arrested soon,” he said. 510-gm heroin, drug money seized, 4 peddlers arrested Ludhiana, April 13 In a major crackdown on the drug mafia, the Crime Branch team has arrested four persons and seized 510 gm of heroin, 6 m of ice (methamphetamine) and Rs 5,000 drug money from their possession. The operation, carried out on the basis of reliable information, has delivered a significant blow to the illegal drug network operating in the area. The police have also launched further probe to uncover the entire supply chain. DCP (Crime) Harpal Singh, ADCP Amandeep Singh Brar, ACP (Crime) Harshpreet Singh issued a joint statement in this regard. The officials said a Crime Branch team was carrying out checking of suspicious persons and vehicles in the Shim- The suspects in police custody in Ludhiana on Monday. lapuri area when it received information that some individuals were selling heroin and ice drug from a house. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the police team conducted a raid at the scene and apprehended the four suspects. They have been identified as Nitin Kumar, Amit, Davinder Singh and Harinder Singh, all residents of the Shimlapuri and Gill Road areas. During the search, 510 gm of heroin, six gm of ice, two electronic weighing scales and Rs 5,000 in drug money were recovered from them. The suspect were consuming drugs at the time of their arres. A case was registered against the suspects and they were produced in a court, from where they were remanded to police custody. — TNS “Crores of rupees are being spent on just the designing part, which is a major cause of concern. Public money is being wasted at such a level. A special inquiry should be conducted to find out why Rs 3.5 crore has been allocated only for designing the road project,” he said. He added that a huge amount of money as salary is spent on the engineering wing of the MC and other departments of the state gov- Seed certification official nabbed for taking ~50K bribe Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) nabbed seed certification officer Amritpal Singh, posted at the Punjab State Seed Certification Authority, Ludhiana, redhanded while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. Disclosing this here on Monday, an official spokesperson for the state VB said the suspect was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by a resident of Ward 10 in Mansa district. He said the complainant was a seed producer, who runs Punjab Agri Seed Farm in Mansa. The work of his firm was to obtain breeder seeds (first-type sowing seeds) from agricultural universities in Punjab or outside the state and make seeds from purchased crops. His firm had sown wheat seeds in about 510 hectares (1,275 acres) of land through various universities and foundation seed sources. The responsibility of inspecting these crop lies with seed certification officer Amritpal Singh. In this regard, the suspect came to their farm about 10 days ago for the inspection of sown crop and asked to show sown fields. The complainant alleged that the suspect demanded a bribe Rs 200 per hectare in lieu of making inspection report favourable for sowing crops. The complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe. Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda Range. After a preliminary inquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the official was arrested red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. A case has been filed against the suspect and further probe in the matter was on. c m y b ernment, then why crores are spent on an architect firm to specially design such projects. Echoing similar concerns, Member of Parliament Amrinder Singh Raja Warring sought accountability from the state government. “It is a clear waste of public money. I have never seen any government spend such a huge amount only on designing. This money could have been used for actual construction of roads. What does the government even mean by ‘world-class roads’? It already has its own team for such work in the Public Works Department and the tender is just to please someone, a private player,” he said. The issue has sparked wider debate in administrative and political circles, with critics pointing out that the per-kilometre design cost appears unusually high compared to similar projects. Meanwhile, Girish Dylan, Managing Director, PIDB, said the tender had been awarded as per procedure. “The tender has been awarded for designing of the roads, and the payment is still pending.” he said. Ludhiana, April 13 The 90-day Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, launched on March 5 with the goal of protecting adolescent girls against cervical cancer, is facing significant challenges. The programme set an ambitious target of vaccinating 40,000 girls within the campaign period. However, after 40 days, only 225 girls have received the preventive shot. The stark shortfall highlights the campaign’s slow pace and raises serious concerns about its effectiveness and ability to meet its objectives. The drive, conducted across 19 government school centres, was expected to be a landmark step in reducing cervical cancer cases, which remain one of the leading causes of mortality among women in the country. However, lack of awareness and hesitation among families have significantly hampered its progress. Medical experts have emphasised the importance of overcoming such barriers. District Immunisation Officer Harpreet Singh advised families to ensure 40 days on, campaign fails to gain pace LACK OF AWARENESS HINDERS DRIVE Lack of awareness and hesitation among families have significantly hampered progress of the 90-day HPV vaccination campaign, launched on March 5. proper preparation before vaccination. He said a single dose of 0.5 milliliters of the HPV vaccine was administered into the muscle of the left arm. After vaccination, each adolescent girl was kept under observation at the health centre for 30 minutes. To receive the vaccine, girls must bring their Aadhaar card with them. After vaccination, each girl is given a certificate. Importantly, the vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. “Girls should not be vaccinated on an empty stomach. Parents must take care of these small but important details to ensure safety.” Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur said, “Cervical cancer is among the most preventable forms of cancer if timely vaccination and awareness are ensured.” She emphasised that the HPV vaccine was safe and highly effective and appealed to parents to ensure that their daughters aged between 14 and 15 years receive the vaccine. Meanwhile, Dr Veena, gynaecologist, praised the government’s initiative but stressed the role of families in its success. “It is a commendable effort by the authorities. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their daughters receive the vaccine. Without their active participation, the campaign cannot achieve its goal.” Healthcare officials warn that unless awareness campaigns are intensified and logistical issues resolved, Ludhiana risks falling far short of its target. The gap between the intended 40,000 vaccinations and the current figure of 225 underscores the urgent need for stronger community engagement, better communication and sustained efforts to dispel misconceptions surrounding adolescent vaccination. The HPV vaccine is globally recognised as a critical tool in preventing cervical cancer and experts insist that Ludhiana’s campaign must regain momentum quickly to safeguard the health of thousands of young girls.