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P4 SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:19 AM » TUESDAY | 6 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Despite expert caution, MC puts road Waris Punjab De ticket aspirants must have clean image, says Ayali cleaning project on F&CC agenda again Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Advised against high-pressure washing of bituminous roads; civic body to seek nod at today’s meet Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 5 Despite a technical expert cautioning the Municipal Corporation (MC) against routine washing of bituminous roads, the civic body has again placed its Rs 81.54crore mechanical sweeping and road-cleaning project before the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC), which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday where as many as 26 development agendas will be tabled during the meeting. The move has raised questions over the road-washing component of the proposed contract, particularly as the MC itself had sought an expert opinion from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology on whether bituminous roads could safely be cleaned through washing. The MC had floated the tender for mechanical sweeping, washing, litter picking and The proposed project has also raised a question over the existing mechanical sweeping arrangement of the MC. FILE horticulture work on main roads. The proposed contract is for three years, with a provision for extension by another two years. The tender process has already reached the financial-bid stage, with bids received from two firms. Before proceeding with the award of the contract, the civic body sought the opinion of Dr Tanuj Chopra, faculty member, Department of Civil Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. In his communication to the MC (dated September 9), which is with The Tribune, Dr Chopra stated that while regular cleaning of urban roads was necessary, the method adopted should not damage the bituminous surface or allow excessive water to enter the pavement. Moisture entering the pavement, he cautioned, could weaken road layers and contribute to ravelling, potholes and other forms of pavement distress. The expert recommended mechanised broom sweeping or vacuum sweeping as the preferred methods for routine cleaning of urban bituminous roads. He also cautioned against regular or daily water sprinkling or high-pressure washing of bituminous roads. According to the opinion, water washing should only be undertaken where it was necessary and in a controlled manner, with the pressure, nozzle type, spray angle and distance properly regulated. High pressure, he said, should be restricted to removing stubborn deposits rather than being used for routine washing. MC already has 9 mechanical sweeping machines The proposed project has also raised a question over the existing mechanical sweeping arrangement of the MC. The civic body already has nine mechanical sweeping machines while Pyara Singh and Sons is carrying out mechanical sweeping work for the MC. Despite having the existing machinery and a contractor engaged for mechanical sweeping, the civic body has again brought the larger road-cleaning proposal before the F&CC. Despite the technical caution, the MC has again put the tender proposal before the F&CC for approval, during its meeting on Tuesday. The committee will, therefore, consider a major roadcleaning contract even as the technical opinion obtained by the civic body itself has advised that routine washing of bituminous roads should not be the preferred method of cleaning. Despite repeated calls, MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar could not be contacted. Ludhiana, October 5 Candidates seeking ticket for the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), the organisation working on the ideology of late actor Deep Sidhu and jailed leader Bhai Amritpal Singh, must have a clean background. The main conditions include the person should have a strong character with no cases of any fraud, sand mining or drug-related matters registered. It was stated by seasoned politician and Dakha in-charge of the organisation Manpreet Singh Ayali. Activities of the organistation are being held under the patronage of four halqa in-charges from the Raikot, Dakha, Gill and Sahnewal areas at village level on a daily basis. Jagroop Singh, incharge, Raikot area, said the main strength of the organisation was the faith of youth on Waris Punjab De. “The youth feels ‘GETTING TREMENDOUS RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE’ Dakha in-charge of the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) Manpreet Singh Ayali said once the harvesting season was over by November, focus in rural areas would be to hold daily events. On a daily basis, the organisation was getting tremendous response from the masses who are eager to join it. proud to be associated with it as compared to other mainstream political parties. Youngsters in rural areas had great expectations from the AAP government but since nothing was done by the government to save youth from drugs and immigration, the former had resentment and now, they are finding hope in Waris Punjab De for a better future,” he said. Ayali said already many programmes on a daily basis were being held by the organisation at both state and district levels. The senior leader said once the harvesting season was over by November, focus in rural areas would be to hold daily events. On a daily basis, the organisation was getting tremendous response from the masses who are eager to join the same. “The method to provide ticket in the organisation would be that the candidate should have a clean background with no cases of fraud, mining, etc. We wish to build the trust among the youth and masses that they will not be neglected and the party will work for their development and betterment,” said Ayali, adding that 600-800 people were approaching the organisation daily to join it. Halqa in-charge from Gill and former SAD MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik said people with panthic agenda in mind were too much inclined to join the organisation. “The masses in rural areas feel that they can be uplifted if a new panthic party comes to power,” he said. Nine inmates booked after phones, FarmersgheraoDC’soffice,accuse admn of ignoring demands opium found during checking in jail THE DEMANDS Manav Mander Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 5 A surprise search at the Ludhiana Central Jail led to the recovery of four mobile phones and 86 gm of opium, following which the Division No 7 police have registered a case against nine inmates. The accused have been identified as Satnam Singh, alias Shama, Mukesh Kumar, Sagardeep Singh Sethi, Pardeep Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Sonu Chaurasia, Ajay Kumar, alias Ghora, Mandeep Singh, alias Paramjeet Singh, and Gurbakhshish Singh. The case was registered on the complaint of Assistant Superintendent Jaswinder Singh under Sections 18, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act and Sections 42(2) and 48(II) of the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Act. COPS TO PROBE SOURCE OF SEIZED ITEMS The recovery of the banned items has prompted the police to probe how these things entered the high-security prisons and whether the inmates had been receiving assistance from anyone outside the jail. Investigators would also try to ascertain the source of the mobile phones and opium and establish whether any other person was involved in supplying or concealing the material. According to investigating officer ASI Dinesh Kumar, jail officials were carrying out a surprise checking exercise when they found four mobile phones, 86 gm of opium and empty pouches allegedly in the possession of inmates Sonu Chaurasia and Ajay Kumar. The police alleged that the remaining seven inmates had assisted the two in concealing the mobile phones and contraband on the jail premises. Based on the jail authorities’ complaint, the nine inmates were booked. The recovery has prompted the police to investigate how the prohibited items entered the high-security prisons and whether the inmates had been receiving assistance from anyone outside the prisons. ASI Dinesh Kumar said the police would seek production warrants for the accused so that they could be questioned in connection with the recovery. Investigators would also try to ascertain the source of the mobile phones and opium and establish whether any other person was involved in supplying or concealing the material. Ludhiana, October 5 The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) on Monday escalated its agitation by staging gherao of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Farmers tried to enter the Mini-Secretariat in large numbers and also intended to lock the gates. Following which, the police intervened, pacified and stopped them from doing so as it would have caused huge inconvenience to the public visiting the place to get their works done. Later, the farmers sat outside the DC Office complex with placards and slogans in their hands and discussed about their demands and issues. Last month also, the farmers sat outside the DC’s Office for 16 consecutive days but they did not get any response from the government. In a show of strength, farmers on Monday arrived in large numbers and shut ■ Scrapping of free trade agreement with the US ■ Land ownership rights for settlers ■ Waiver of loans of farmers, labourers ■ Withdrawal of police cases against farmers, including those related to stubble burning ■ Repeal of Electricity and Seed Bills ■ Continuation of MGNREGA scheme Cops try to stop the farmers from entering the DC's office during a protest in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN down all entry gates of the DC’s Office, accusing the administration of deliberately ignoring their demands. “Our demands include compensation for crop damage, waiver of loans of farmers and farm labourers, withdrawal of police cases, granting ownership rights to settlers, smooth procurement of paddy and proper disposal of crop residue and we are demanding the same from the Central and state governments,” said Saudagar Singh, general secretary of the union. Addressing the gathering, union leaders said the government was “buying time” while pushing corporate- friendly policies such as the land pooling scheme, Electricity Bill, and Seed Bill, which they said would further burden the common people. They warned that the proposed India-US free trade agreement would devastate local farmers, dairy producers, small industries and retail businesses. Later in the evening, farmers reached outside the DC’s residence at Rakh Bagh and burnt the effigy of the state government as it has failed to accept their demands. Youth alleges assault, Dairy owners told not to dump cow dung into Buddha Dariya, sewer lines abduction by friends Seechewal, Mayor review Tajpur Road Dairy Complex issue; MC promises to clear waste in three days over money dispute Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 5 A 20-year-old youth has approached the Division No 3 police, alleging that some of his friends forcibly took him away in a car and assaulted him at an isolated place following a dispute over money. The complainant has also alleged that they recorded the assault on a mobile phone and later shared the video on social media in an attempt to humiliate and intimidate him. As per the complaint, the suspects were known to the victim and had been his friends. A disagreement had recently developed between them over a monetary issue. Their common friends had reportedly tried to settle the dispute. The complainant told the police that the suspects called him to Kashmir Nagar Chowk on Sunday evening, saying they wanted to discuss the matter. When he reached the location, they allegedly bundled him into a car and drove him to a secluded place. He alleged that afterwards, they assaulted him and repeatedly hit him on the head with slippers. The entire incident was allegedly recorded by the suspects. He narrated the matter to his family, following which they submitted a complaint to the police. Inspector Gurjeet Singh, SHO, Division No 3, said the police had received the complaint along with the video allegedly recorded during the incident. The police are examining the video and the allegations. — TNS Ludhiana, October 5 The long-standing problem of cow dung and wastewater spilling on to lanes and main road of the Tajpur Road Dairy Complex came under scrutiny on Monday, with Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, Mayor Inderjit Kaur, Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar holding a review meeting with dairy owners and officials of various departments. The three-hour meeting, held at the MC’s Zone-B office near Shingar Cinema, focused on preventing the dumping of cow dung into the Buddha Dariya and sewer lines and ensuring its regular lifting from the dairy complex. MP Balbir Singh Seechewal with officials of the MC, PPCB and sewerage board during a meeting. The dairy owners were directed to hand over cow dung generated at their dairies to the contractor engaged by the MC for lifting waste from the dairy c m y b complexes. The contractor, in turn, was directed to make adequate arrangements, including carts, for regular lifting so that dung did not accumulate in streets or find its way into sewer lines and the dariya. The meeting was attended by officials of the MC, Punjab Pollution Control Board and Sewerage Board, besides dairy owners and other stakeholders. The authorities said the dumping of cow dung into the sewer lines was affecting the functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and also contributing to pollution in the dariya. The MC assured that teams would clear the accumulated cow dung and waste from the dairy complex within the next three days. The dairy owners were warned that strict action would be taken if anyone was subsequently found dumping cow dung in the streets, sewer lines or the dariya. The officials also directed that work on the proposed biogas plants at the Haibowal and Tajpur Road dairy complexes be expedited. Meanwhile, the meeting was followed by a protest by residents and area councillor Arun Sharma of Dhoka Mohalla outside the MC’s Zone-B office. The protesters urged Seechewal to visit their locality and take note of the drainage problem being faced by residents. Residents alleged that wastewater from their locality was flowing back towards the area and sought intervention for a permanent solution. Seechewal told the residents that the issue had persisted for a long time and assured them that efforts would be made to address it. The authorities have now set a three-day deadline for clearing the accumulated waste while regular lifting of cow dung and the proposed biogas projects are expected to address the problem on a long-term basis.