18072026-LT-01.qxd 7/18/2026 12:21 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune TRIBUTES PAID ON BIRTH ANNIV OF PVC SEKHON Residents hit out at the district administration, allege it has ‘failed’ to honour the martyr. P2 » SHAKIRA CELEBRATES MESSI AS ARGENTINA ENTER FINAL FILMMAKER AMIT RAI RETURNS WITH —OHH MY DOG Pop queen Shakira praised Lionel Messi’s extraordinary performance through a social media post. P3 Emotionally driven film celebrates bond between humans & dogs and is inspired by real-life experiences. P3 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 30°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 30°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7:25 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:33 AM SATURDAY | 18 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA Toll hiked twice in 3 months, motorists City students excel in NEET retest forced to navigate dark NH-44 stretch Commuters say absence of lights between Jalandhar & Sirhind poses grave danger Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 17 Even as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll rates at the Ladhowal Toll Plaza for the second time in three months, motorists on the National Highway-44 continue to drive through dark stretches as a majority of the street lights on the JalandharSirhind stretch have remained dysfunctional for months. The revised toll rates came into effect on July 15, with car, jeep and van users now paying Rs 235 for a single journey, which was Rs 225 earlier, while the return journey fee has increased to Rs 350 from Rs 340. The hike ranges between Rs 10 and Rs 65 across different vehicle categories. However, commuters say that while they are paying more after every few months, the basic road safety infrastructure has seen little improvement. A late-night visit to the highway revealed long stretches without functioning street lights from the Jalandhar side towards Sirhind. Several poles on the main carriageway remained Non-functional street lights on the NH-44, near Ladhowal Toll Plaza, In Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA dark while service lanes and slip roads were almost without illumination. Poor visibility at entry and exit points, particularly on service roads, makes it difficult for motorists to notice pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles merging onto the highway. The problem has persisted despite repeated communication by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC). Civic body officials said the MC had written multiple letters to the NHAI, urging it to repair the dysfunctional street lights on the NH-44 stretch, falling within the municipal limits. However, despite repeated reminders, the lights continue to remain non-functional. The contrast between higher toll collection and poor maintenance has left commuters questioning the quality of services being provided. Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Ludhiana who frequently travels to Jalandhar, said: “The toll has been increased again but street lights have been lying defunct for months. We are paying more, yet we have to drive through darkness every night.” Another commuter, Gurpreet Singh, said the condition of the service lanes was even more worrying. “Slip roads are completely dark. Vehicles suddenly merge onto the highway and visibility is poor. It is a serious safety hazard.” Harpreet Kaur, who travels regularly between Ludhiana and Khanna, said motorists expect better facilities when toll charges were revised. “Toll is collected in the name of better highways but even the basic lighting system has not been maintained,” she said. Road safety experts said proper street lighting was essential on highways, particularly near intersections, service lanes and slip roads, where local traffic mixes with fast-moving vehicles. Inadequate lighting significantly increases chances of accidents during night hours. The issue has again raised questions over accountability. While the NHAI continues to revise toll charges in the name of highway maintenance and user facilities, commuters say the Jalandhar-Sirhind stretch of NH-44 continues to suffer from dysfunctional street lights, turning night travel into a risky experience. Despite repeated attempts, Project Director Priyanka Meena was not available for comments. Divit Jain, who secured AIR 79, celebrates his success with family in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 17 After weeks of uncertainty and exam cancellations, aspirants finally breathed a sigh of relief as the muchawaited NEET-UG retest results, which were declared late on Thursday night. City students fared remarkably well, with celebrations breaking out in Ludhiana early in the morning. The highlight of the day was local lad Aryan Gupta clinching the All-India Rank (AIR) 1, bringing pride to the city and setting off jubilant scenes among friends, family and fellow aspirants. “I am still sinking in the feeling of achieving AIR 1,” said Aryan, an aspiring oncologist. “When I appeared for the original NEET examination on May 3, I knew I hadn’t performed to my potential. I was disappointed. When NEET retest was announced, I had mixed emotions. It meant I would have to prepare all over again but it also meant I had been given another opportunity to correct my mistakes. I accepted that challenge with dedication. Looking back today, I feel that everything happened for a reason. My faith in the Almighty has become even stronger and I am grateful for every blessing that has come my way,” he said. Another city student Divit Jain secured AIR 79. “Be consistent and keep doing hard work and you will get the results,” said a visibly elated Divit. Rishit Singla, Diya Jain, Kartik Slaria and Angad Batra have secured AIR 100, 163, 216 and 403, respectively. Expressing happiness, Rishit said: “Securing AIR 100 is a dream come true. I thank my parents for always believing in me and my teachers for their constant guidance and motivation. Regular mock tests, detailed performance analysis, doubt-solving sessions and disciplined classroom learning helped me strengthen my concepts and stay focused throughout my preparations. The achievement inspires me to work even harder towards becoming a successful doctor.” Diya Jain (AIR 163) and Sartaj Singh, who secured AIR 489, said the retest was a big hassle but now, that the results were out, they were preparing for their study and excited for the journey ahead. Big feat: City cyclist Harshveer makes PM Modi’s visit to Jalandhar keeps it to Glasgow Commonwealth Games city police personnel on their toes Anil Datt Ludhiana, July 17 City’s Harshveer Singh Sekhon has scripted one of the most inspiring success stories in Indian cycling, from representing the country in roller skating to becoming nation’s highest-ranked track cyclist and earning selection for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to the held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 2. Currently, Harshveer is sharpening his skills in the United States under the guidance of renowned cycling coach Freddie Rodriguez, where he is undergoing intensive high-performance training and competing in international races to finetune his preparations. Once his training programme concludes, he will travel directly to Scotland to join the Indian contingent, where the track cycling events will be held from July 30 to August 2. The overseas training stint is expected to provide him with valuable exposure against world-class competition as he aims to deliver his best performance on one of the biggest sporting stages. Speaking to The Tribune over phone Harshveer said he first came into the national limelight as a roller skater and Harshveer Singh Sekhon Represented country in roller skating, became nation’s highest-ranked track cyclist represented India at the international level in 2018. However, recognising the immense potential that track cycling offered, he took the bold decision to switch disciplines later that year. The move demanded immense physical and mental adjustment, but it proved to be a turning point in his sporting career, he said. His introduction to cycling began in late 2017 under the guidance of his first coach, Gurbaz Singh, who played a pivot role during the most challenging phase of his career. With Harshveer unable to afford a racing bicyle, Gurbaz selflessly lent him his own cycle for both training and competitions and the timely support became the cornerstone of his success. “Without my coach’s faith in me during those initial years, this journey would have been much more difficult,” Harshveer recalls. “He gave me the opportunity to compete when I had almost nothing,” he said. His consistent performances earned Harshveer a place in the Indian Track Cycling National Team in 2019, and since then there has been no looking back. Over the past several years, he has represented the country in numerous international competitions, steadily climbing global rankings through disciplined preparation and impressive performances against some of the world’s best cyclists. The defining moment of his career came in 2024, when Harshveer achieved a world ranking of No 13, becoming the highest-ranked Indian track cyclist in history. The achievement marked a significant milestone not only for the cyclist but also for Indian track cycling, a discipline that has long struggled for international recognition. Harshveer’s regular performances in both National Track Cycling Championships and National Road Cycling Champions also earned him a place in the 2023 Asian Games, where he competed against Asia’s finest cyclists. Continuing his remarkable upward trajectory, Harshveer secured selection for both 2026 Asian Cycling Championship, held in Philippines, and now the Commonwealth Games, reaffirming his status as country’s leading track cyclist. Despite reaching unprecedented heights in Indian cycling, the city cyclist remains focused on an even bigger dream - qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. “I believe Indian cyclists have the potential to compete with the world’s best if provided sustained exposure, scientific training and adequate financial support,’ he said. Has a strong academic record as well Besides excelling in sports, Harshveer has also maintained a strong academic record. He completed his schooling from DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, before pursuing BTech (computer science) and MBA from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana. Balancing academics with the demanding schedule of an elite athlete, Harshveer successfully combined higher education with international sporting commitments, reflecting his discipline and determination both on and off the track. c m y b Cong, Shiv Sena leaders ‘put under house arrest’, CP rejects charge Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 17 Tight security arrangements were put in place across the state before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jalandhar on Friday. As part of the security measures, Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma, along with senior police officials and teams, conducted a thorough inspection of the Ludhiana railway station and its surrounding areas to ensure foolproof security arrangements. CP Swapan Sharma inspected all entry and exit points of the railway station. During the inspection, he expressed concern over encroachments outside roadside dhabas, where rehris and other objects were occupying portions of roads, obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. Sharma directed dhaba owners and other encroachers to remove all encroachments within two days, warning that strict action, including registration of FIRs, would be initiated against defaulters. He also instructed police personnel to conduct daily patrolling and ensure that all encroach- Police officials conduct a surprise inspection of a spot in Ludhiana. ments were cleared within the stipulated time so that traffic movement remains smooth and hassle-free. Meanwhile, it is alleged that several Congress and Shiv Sena leaders were placed under house arrest as a preventive security measure ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Jalandhar. Heavy police deployment was witnessed across the city, with security personnel stationed outside residences of several Shiv Sena leaders. The action followed Shiv Sena national president Sanjeev Ghanoli’s announcement that the party would stage a protest and attempt to gherao the Prime Minister’s convoy if the alleged false cases registered against Shiv Sena leaders in Ludhiana were not withdrawn. Youth Congress president Shubham Sharma was reportedly stopped at Ladhowal while proceeding towards the Prime Minister’s event in Jalandhar. Several other Congress leaders were reportedly detained in Jalandhar. Congress leaders had earlier announced that they would wear black badges and hold a peaceful protest against the NEET paper leak during the Prime Minister’s visit. However, they were detained by the police as a preventive measure. Among those leader reportedly detained were Bhanu Pratap, Sandeep Thapar and Rajeev Tandon. At the same time, CP Swapan Sharma claimed that none of the leaders were detained or placed under house arrest.