20062026-JTR-01.qxd 6/20/2026 12:13 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SEECHEWAL’S PUSH PAYS OFF AS DHUSSI ROAD PROJECT BEGINS ARTIST TURNS WEDDING MOMENTS INTO TIMELESS KEEPSAKES PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING SEEING US THREE TOGETHER The foundation stone laid at Mandala Chhanna village came as a ray of hope for the people of the flood-hit villages. P2 Suranjan through her venture ‘Resin It’ works closely with wedding-related creations. P3 Shahid Kapoor said he is glad that people are praising his chemistry with Cocktail 2 co-stars Kriti & Rashmika. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.34 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:23 AM SATURDAY | 20 JUNE 2026 | JALANDHAR City roads turn saffron ahead of BJP chief Nitin Nabin’s visit Will attend International Yoga Day event at LPU in Phagwara Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service AAP leader Nitin Kohli supervises the marking of a dedicated lane for slow-moving traffic near Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk in Jalandhar on Friday. Pilot project for cycle, slow-vehicle lanes launched on two stretches Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 19 In a project aimed at creating separate lanes for cycle and two or three-wheelers, Aam Aadmi Party leader Nitin Kohli has started working on a plan on two roads of the city. The two stretches identified for the project are Nakodar Chowk to Football Chowk and Football Chowk to Kapurthala Chowk. The lanes are being painted green as a part of the project. “We have tried to initiate the project on a pilot basis from a section of road between BMC Chowk and bus stand”, he said. He added that the project needs coordinated working between Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, and Commissionerate Police. “Once new Commissioner Satinder Singh takes charge in the city, I will discuss the plan regarding traffic management with him. So far, we have done discussions on this with the Mayor and MC Commissioner”, he said. A similar project had been planned over 13 years ago during the reign of the SAD-BJP government, but it could not materialise as it was then felt that city roads are not wide enough to segregate the traffic. City residents, including those engaged in cycling in morning time, have been demanding that they be given separate lanes at least till 7:30 am and on Sundays so that they can paddle through the city conveniently and safely. The demand was raised by members of the Hawk Cycling Club and Ride to Road Club, both engaged in regular cycling events, during the recent World Bicycle Day. Jalandhar, June 19 All main roads in the city from PAP Chowk to Bhagwan Valmiki Chowk have been decked up with saffron flags and BJP posters as the party’s national president Nitin Nabin is on his maiden visit to the city tomorrow. Party workers have been asked to gather at Shri Ram Chowk tomorrow evening to receive the BJP national chief. From there on, he will lead a march with the party workers and leaders towards Valmiki Chowk, said district president of the party Sushil Sharma. The party has arranged for a chariot in which Nabin will be seated with state president Kewal Dhillon and Rajya Sabha member Tarun Chugh. The chariot has reached here from the national capital. All other party leaders will follow the chariot in open vehicles. Only the BJP leaders from the urban Assembly segments have been involved in the event. Band teams, gidda and bhangra artistes have A city road decked up with saffron flags and BJP posters in Jalandhar on Friday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH been engaged to make the event look big and loud. There, however, will be no public address by the leader tomorrow. Following the event, the BJP chief will meet the core committee members of the party over the dinner at a hotel. Next day, he will leave for Lovely Professional University for International Yoga Day event. He will attend a conclave with Sant Samaj at Haveli after which he will leave for Ludhiana where he has convened a meeting of more than 8,000 party workers. All ex-MLAs, ex-MPs and party office-bearers too have been called for a meeting in Ludhiana on Monday. All BJP top leaders from Jalandhar, including KD Bhandari, Rakesh Rathour, Manoranjan Kalia, Sushil Rinku and Sheetal Angural, are expected to receive the national chief at Amritsar tomorrow morning and escort him to the city in the evening. New turf in place, football wing still K’thala DC sets June 30 deadline to missing at Jalandhar’s sports college complete drain, sewerage cleaning Drive to clear Beins underway across towns of the district Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Football ground at Government Arts and Sports College in Jalandhar. ball wing. The college authorities had earlier indicated that the wing would become operational this year but the plan has yet to materialise. College Principal Dr Ranbir Singh, who has been actively working to revive sports wings, had previously stated that the college would seek the services of a football coach from the Sports Department to facilitate the launch of the wing. Speaking on the delay, Singh said the football wing could not be started this year due to certain reasons. However, he expressed confidence that it would be functional in the next academic session. “Our football players are already practising on the ground, but a dedicated foot- ball wing will also be launched,” he said. Founded in 1961 by then Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon, Government Arts and Sports College has played a pivotal role in sports. The institution has produced numerous national and international athletes and remains one of the state’s most prestigious centres for sports education. Jalandhar, June 19 Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal on Friday reviewed the progress of drain and sewerage cleaning works being undertaken across the district as part of monsoon preparedness and flood management. He directed the Drainage Department, Municipal Corporation, Kapurthala, Municipal Corporation, Phagwara, Municipal Council, Sultanpur Lodhi, and Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) to complete the cleaning of all drains, sewer lines and storm water systems by June 30. During the review meeting, the DC emphasised that all ongoing works must be completed before the onset of the FILE Jalandhar, June 19 As football fever grips the nation during the FIFA World Cup season, Jalandhar’s renowned Government Arts and Sports College is still awaiting the launch of its football wing despite having a dedicated football ground upgraded last year. The college has yet to start the wing even after spending more than Rs 11 lakh on the development of a proper football ground under the Central Government’s Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 2013-14 grant. For decades, the institution lacked a suitable football facility. The ground, once considered unfit for the sport, was upgraded last year with the objective of reviving football activities and eventually establishing a dedicated foot- monsoon. He also instructed officials to ensure the proper disposal of removed weeds and wild vegetation so that the waste is not washed back into the drains during rainfall. Officials informed him that open drain-cleaning works worth Rs 1.62 crore under the Drainage Department were nearing completion. The works include the removal of sarkanda, weeds, wild vegetation and water hyacinth from drains across the district, covering West Bein (Kali Bein), East Bein (Chitti Bein) and drains in Bholath, Kapurtha- la, Sultanpur Lodhi and Phagwara tehsils. The DC also reviewed the cleaning and maintenance of drainage and sewerage systems under MC Kapurthala, MC Phagwara, MC Sultanpur Lodhi and PWSSB. Officials said the exercise would improve water flow, prevent waterlogging and ensure smooth drainage during the monsoon. They assured the DC that all works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. Bansal warned that any laxity in the works would not be tolerated. He directed officials to establish a fool-proof monitoring mechanism to ensure the timely completion of all works so that residents do not face any inconvenience during the rainy season. 85-year-old allottee awaits JIT refund despite consumer commission order Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 19 Nearly three years after securing a favourable order from the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, 85-year-old allottee Shanti Devi is still awaiting compensation from the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), even after execution proceedings in her case. The matter pertains to the JIT’s housing scheme, Indira Puram (Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave), where Shanti Devi had deposited Rs 4,43,622 for a flat later allotted to her in 2009. However, after the flat remained without basic facilities for over a decade, her son Inderjit Singh, who holds her General Power of Attorney, approached the consumer court on her behalf in December 2022. In his complaint, Inderjit stated that despite allotment, his mother was never provided a complete or livable house. He alleged that what was shown as possession was only on paper as the colony lacked essential civic infrastructure such as electricity supply, a proper sewerage system, drainage facilities and a functional approach road, making the flat unfit for habitation. The JIT, in its defence, maintained that the possession had been handed over in 2009 and that the allottee had accepted it without objection, raising grievances after an inordinate delay. However, the complainant’s side, through Shanti Devi the son as attorney holder, argued that the so-called possession was never effective, as essential amenities required for a functional residential colony were never provided. In its order dated September 1, 2023, the District Con- sumer Commission rejected the limitation plea and held that the deficiency was continuing in nature. It observed that the housing project lacked essential facilities and, therefore, could not be treated as complete, making the possession ineffective in law. The commission directed the JIT to refund Rs 4,43,622 with 9 per cent annual interest, along with Rs 30,000 compensation for mental harassment and Rs 5,000 litigation costs to be paid within 45 days. Despite the order, the payment has still not been released. In a letter to the JIT Chairman, her son has sought immediate release of the amount on humanitarian grounds, citing her critical health condition and c m y b urgent need for knee replacement surgery. Advocate Rakesh Kumar Arora, representing several similarly placed allottees, said the case reflects a wider pattern of delayed relief under the scheme. He noted that Indira Puram (Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave) was launched in 2006 with promises of 888 flats and completion within two-and-a-half years, but possession was handed over in 2009 despite missing basic infrastructure. He said residents were left with an incomplete approach road, lack of proper sewerage and drainage systems, and electricity supply that came only in 2012 after prolonged collective effort. He added that while several allottees have secured favourable orders since 2019, many are still awaiting payment, with dues now rising significantly to 14 lakh per flat due to accumulated interest. Despite several attempts, JIT officials remained unavailable for comment. JIT flats at Gurbanta Singh Enclave (Indrapuram), Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH