08092026-LT-01.qxd 08-09-2026 00:52 Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CITY SKATER ARNAV SELECTED FOR WORLD SKATE GAMES 6 MONTHS AFTER NOD, MC YET TO PROCURE FOGGING MACHINES The five machines were sanctioned on recommendation of MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. P2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 25°C KHOSLA, JANI’S 40 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP & COUTURE Arnav has earned a place in Indian speed skating team for World Skate Games to be held in Oct in Paraguay.P2 FORECAST Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla mark four decades in fashion with a dazzling celebration of style & glamour. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6:37 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:03 AM » TUESDAY | 8 SEPTEMBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Sewerage board blames MC for growing Buddha Nullah pollution Says illegal sewer connections, poor desilting of sewer lines among major reasons Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 7 Even as pollution in the Buddha Nullah continues to remain a major concern, a fresh communication from the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) has put the Municipal Corporation (MC) under the scanner over alleged deficiencies in the city’s sewerage network. The Executive Engineer of the PWSSB Division, Ludhiana, has written to the Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner, pointing out that the recurring excess flow and pollution load at the Balloke Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) are linked to issues in the sewerage network under the operation and maintenance jurisdiction of the MC. In the letter dated September 5, the officer has flagged unauthorised sewer connections, diversion of sewage from the Bhattian STP catchment towards Balloke and Jamalpur and inadequate desilting and cleaning of sewer lines as key issues contributing to the problem. It is pointed out that pollution load at the Balloke STP is linked to issues in the sewerage network. The communication comes at a time when the Buddha Nullah remains under focus due to the continued flow of polluted water into the watercourse. The latest observations by the sewerage board indicate that the issue may not be limited to the functioning of sewage treatment plants but is also connected with the way the city’s sewerage network is being managed. The PWSSB has alleged that sewer connections from villages, private colonies and flats located outside the MC limits have been linked with the municipal sewer network. According to the board, such unauthorised connections are adding to the flow reaching Balloke STP , besides bringing cow dung and industrial effluent into the system. The board has stated that identifying and disconnecting these connections falls within the MC’s responsibility. The officer has also drawn attention to the utilisation of the Bhattian STP The plant . has an installed treatment capacity of 161 MLD but its average incoming flow is only around 85 MLD. It leaves a gap of nearly 76 MLD. The PWSSB has attributed this shortfall to diversion of sewage towards Balloke and Jamalpur and has asked the MC to restore sewer connections according to the original network design. Another issue raised is the cleaning and maintenance of sewer lines. The board has alleged that inadequate or irregular desilting has led to frequent sewer overflows in some areas. It has further stated that, instead of carrying out the required cleaning of the original lines, sewage has been diverted through alternative sewer connections towards Balloke and Jamalpur to manage the overflows. The PWSSB has said these diversions were adding to the excess and irregular sewage flow at Balloke STP and has sought corrective action by the MC. The board has asked the MC to identify and disconnect unauthorised connections from areas outside the municipal limits, restore connections feeding the Bhattian STP so that the nearly 76 MLD shortfall was addressed and ensure regular desilting and cleaning of the sewerage network. Delhi-Halwara morning flight cancelled due to ‘operational’ issues Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 7 The Air India (AI) flight from Delhi to Halwara was cancelled on Monday morning due to ‘operational reasons’ at Delhi. Though exact reason for the cancellation of flight was not given by Air India, passengers going from Delhi to Halwara and from Halwara to Delhi had to face inconvenience due to the same. A regular traveller from Halwara told The Tribune that he came to know about the flight cancellation through a message from Air India around 3:30 am. “I was all set to board the flight from Halwara around 7 am but got panicked after knowing about the cancellation. Since I had an important meeting with a few hosiery buyers in Delhi, I went by my car as I had to reach there by 2 pm,” the passenger said. Since there was no arrival of the Air India flight from Delhi at the Halwara airport, the passengers from Ludhiana going to Delhi too had to bear the brunt as the same flight goes back to Delhi. Drop in number of passengers in Aug As compared to other months, August saw a drop in Passengers face inconvenience August saw a drop in the number of passengers from Halwara to Delhi and vice-versa. FILE the number of passengers from Halwara to Delhi and vice-versa. The passengers’ arrival in August was 4,976 (from Delhi to Halwara) while the departure was 5,780 (from Halwara to Delhi) in both morning and evening flights. Jagir Singh, Director, Halwara Airport, however, said: “June-July was the vacation time and many families travelled while schools were open, August saw a slight decline in the number of passengers.” Change in timings from Sept 10 The Halwara Airport authorities have already announced the change in the timings of evening flight. Earlier, it used to depart from Halwara at 2:40 pm, now the timings are changed to 4:05 pm from September 10 while morning flight timings remain the same. Power utility withdraws five-hour Youth held for firing into air, night outage imposed on industry posting act on social media Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 7 Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has withdrawn the five-hour power outage imposed on industry with immediate effect. Confirming this, Chief Engineer Jagdev Singh Hans told The Tribune that since the supply disruption from the Talwandi Sabo grid was rectified, the industry would get regular power supply from 7 pm to 12 midnight with immediate effect. The order came following industrialists’ meeting with PSPCL officials here on Monday. A delegation of industrialists, including Jatinder Mittal, chairman, UCPMA; Narinder Bhamra, presi- dent, Fasteners Manufacturers Association of India; Gurmeet Singh Kular, president, FICO; Harsimerjit Singh Lucky, president, UCPMA; and Satnam Singh Makkar, president, DIWA; had met Jagdev Singh Hans, Chief Engineer, Central Zone, PSPCL, regarding the ongoing issue of the proposed fivehour night outage affecting the industrial sector. During the meeting, the Chief Engineer informed industrial representatives that on the directions of the Chairman, PSPCL, demands of the industry have been considered and the five-hour night blackout had been called off with immediate effect. The industry stated that reliable and uninterrupted power supply was essential for maintaining production, fulfilling delivery commitments and controlling operational costs. The withdrawal of the night blackout would provide much-needed relief to industrial units across the city. Protest postponed In view of the positive decision taken by the PSPCL, the Consortium of Trade and Industry has decided to postpone the proposed protest for an indefinite period. The industry, however, made it clear that if any such decision was taken in future, which adversely affects industrial operations or causes unneces- sary hardship to the industry, the industrial fraternity would again come together and raise its voice against the PSPCL. The industrial fraternity thanked the PSPCL Chairman and Chief Engineer, Central Zone, for responding positively to genuine concerns of the industry and resolving the issue with immediate effect. For the past about 10 days, the PSPCL had imposed the five-hour night outage on industry due to poor supply from various grids. A lot of hue and cry was raised by the industry on the disruption of power supply and representations were sent to the state government and the PSPCL to withdraw the ‘forced imposed’ power cuts. Ludhiana, September 7 The Machhiwara police have registered a case against Bikramjit Singh, alias Vicky, for firing into the air and posting the act as status on his WhatsApp number. He was arrested by the police. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Samrala, Pritpal Singh Sandhu, said an informant approached the police and reported that Bikramjit Singh, alias Vicky, a resident of Bahlolpur had posted a status on his WhatApp number depicting firing with a weapon on his WhatsApp number on May 4. The informant further stated that the youth does not hold any licensed weapon. The act was said to have gen- The suspect in Machhiwara police custody. erated panic among residents of the village. Acting on the tip-off, the police verified information and subsequently registered a case against the youth, the DSP Manav Mander Tribune News Service Loose and entangled wires in various markets of Ludhiana pose a serious threat to life and property. PHOTOS: ASHWANI DHIMAN creating a constant risk of unforeseen incident. The menace is citywide, stretching from Chaura Bazaar and Meena Bazaar to Model Town, Sarabha Nagar, Civil Lines and Bharat Nagar, turning everyday commutes into risky encounters. The PSPCL had launched a pilot project in September 2025 to remove dangling and low-hanging wires, streamline multiple joints and raise electric lines to safer heights. While partial work worth Rs 1.15 crore was completed in one division of the city west circle, the work in other divisions is yet to be carried out. “Some work under the proj- c m y b When the Halwara airport became operational in May, there was a credit war among BJP leaders and AAP leaders over getting credit for starting the flight operations, which was a long pending demand of residents. But after that, none of the political parties are having any interest in the operations or inconvenience of passengers. The taxi mafia has established a monopoly but the ruling government in the state or BJP leaders have failed to address the issue of exorbitant taxi fares. “It can be another reason for decline in the number of passengers as taxi drivers charge hefty amounts,” rued another regular passenger Ankur Mahajan, a chartered accountant from Ludhiana. Goods worth ~15 lakh stolen from shop Tribune News Service Tribune News Service said, adding that the suspect had used the licensed weapon of his acquaintance to commit the act. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Project comes a cropper, dangling wires continue to endanger lives Ludhiana, September 7 It was in September last year that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had launched its pilot project to remove dangling and lowhanging wires in the city. After a year, the situation remains almost the same as areas in different parts of the city, be it old or new parts, continue to remain under the hazardous web of cables. The situation has raised serious questions over the pace of the project. Exposed electrical wires and poorly maintained connections have become a serious hazard for residents in several urban areas. Along streets, residential colonies and busy bazaars, hanging wires dangle dangerously Political leaders have no interest ect has been finished and the remaining work will be undertaken in coming months. We need to snap power for carrying out the work. Once the weather changes, we will carry for- ward the project so that consumers are not affected due to power outage,” said Chief Engineer PSPCL, Jagdev Singh Hans. Meanwhile, in congested markets, cables brush against rooftops and signboards and in residential lanes, residents are forced to walk under sagging lines that can lead to accidents. “Electric poles are overloaded with tangled cables and the situation becomes dangerous in congested area. These not only endanger residents but also increase chances of accidents during the rainy season,” said Manjit Singh, a resident from Dugri. At many places, wires are tied together with makeshift joints, leaving them exposed to weather and human contact. “A few dangling wires sparked after rainfall. Quick preventative action by nearby shopkeepers prevented a disaster,” said Satwinder Singh, a shopkeeper at Bhadaur House. Ludhiana, September 7 Miscreants targeted a shop on the Chuharpur road in Haibowal and decamped with goods and cash worth Rs 15 lakh. When the aggrieved shopkeeper enquired about the matter, the involvement of a man and his associates who had a financial dispute with him. Acting on the complainant’s statements, the police registered a case and initiated further investigation. In his statement to the police, the complainant stated that he runs ‘Arora Footwear’ along with a shop dealing in kites and strings on the Chuharpur road. On the intervening night of August 6 and 7, unidentified persons broke locks of the shop and entered it. The suspects stole one revolving chair and four plastic chairs, one plastic cooler and one small iron cooler, one glass showcase counter and one wooden counter (containing Rs 50,000 in cash), a tent table and an iron single door, besides the entire stock of kites, strings, footwear and Holi colours, valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh, from the shop. The victim alleged that the crime was committed by Pankaj, Jyoti, Vijay Mandi, Pawan Mandi, Gaurav Kumar Mandi, Saurav Mandi and Ajit and others. The main reason behind the same was an old financial transaction related to the shop. He had purchased the shop from Pankaj for Rs 10 lakh, which was paid in instalments, and had been in its possession for the past five years. The suspects wanted to forcibly vacate the shop through high-handedness. Hence, they planned and executed the crime. ASI Karamjit Singh said after registering a case, further investigation was launched into the matter.