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P4 » FORECAST » SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:26 AM SATURDAY | 17 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Potholes, uneven manholes expose MC’s failure to address civic woes Minister Bains had told officials to replace damaged manhole covers, finish road repair works by June 30 Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 16 Despite a clear directive from Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains to make Ludhiana free of potholes and faulty manholes by June 30, city roads continue to present a dangerous mix of deep potholes, raised manhole covers and sunken chambers. From busy stretches in Ghumar Mandi and Bhadaur House to Civil Lines, Dhandari Road and Haibowal, commuters continue to negotiate uneven roads and manholes that are either several inches above the road surface or have sunk below it. The condition raises serious questions over the Municipal Corporation’s ability to address what should be among its most basic responsibilities. The minister had, during an early-morning inspection, directed MC officials to replace all missing and damaged manhole covers and complete road repair works by June 30. He had also ordered officials to report to the field every morning as part of the “Mission Clean Punjab”. The situation is particularly Commuters are facing issues while negotiating uneven manholes in various areas of Ludhiana. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN risky for two-wheeler riders. A raised manhole can cause a sudden jerk while a sunken one can behave like a deep pothole. At night or after rain, such defects become even harder to notice. A similar problem of faulty manholes exists in Ghumar Mandi, BRS Nagar, Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar, Field Ganj and Haibowal. Resi- Accountant robbed of ~2 lakh by three Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 16 Three unidentified youths riding a motorcycle allegedly waylaid an accountant and fled with Rs 2 lakh after threatening him with a sharp weapon on Bahadur Ke Road, the police said. The incident was reported to the Jodhewal Basti police, who have registered a case and started efforts to identify the suspects. The complainant, Kulwinder Singh, a resident of Guru Nanak Nagar on Tajpur Road, is employed as an accountant with Thukral Fabric Private Limited on Bahadur Ke Road. According to the complaint, Kulwinder had collected Rs 2 lakh from KM Secure Factory in the Clock Tower area on October 1. Afterwards, he went towards his workplace on his motorcycle, carrying the cash in a bag kept on the fuel tank. When he reached near his factory, three youths riding dents had complained that several covers were either above or below the road level and that no effective corrective action had been taken. Ghumar Mandi, Civil Lines among trouble spots Ghumar Mandi, already one of the city’s busiest commercial areas, has little margin for road defects. Commuters navigating congested stretches have to slow down or change lanes to avoid uneven manholes and damaged portions of the road. The problem has also been reported in the Civil Lines and Haibowal. During rains in the past, roads in both areas were reported to have developed potholes and witnessed waterlogging, making it difficult for motorists to identify damaged portions. MC Superintending Engineer Sham Lal Gupta said: “I have already directed officials to repair all faulty manholes and cover potholes and these issues will be resolved soon.” NGT forms panel to probe use of banned plastic at govt event Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 16 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to probe allegations of the use of banned single-use plastic items at the state-level ‘Jashan-e-Inquilab’ event held at the PAU grounds on September 28. The committee will comprise representatives of the Member Secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). In its October 12 order, the NGT directed the joint committee to verify the allegations raised in the complaint. If these are found to be correct, the panel has been asked to ensure appropriate remedial and punitive action, including the imposition of environmental compensation on violators. The tribunal directed that the exercise be completed within three months of the receipt of the complaint from the applicant and an action-taken report be submitted to its Registrar General through email. The NGT further said the matter could be listed before the Bench for consideration, if required. Displaying heritage ENSURE APPROPRIATE ACTION AGAINST VIOLATORS, TRIBUNAL TELLS JOINT PANEL In its October 12 order, the NGT directed the joint committee to verify the allegations raised in the complaint. If these are found to be correct, the panel has been asked to ensure appropriate remedial and punitive action, including the imposition of environmental compensation on violators. The event, organised by the state government, was held at the PAU grounds on September 28 to pay tributes to martyr Bhagat Singh. According to the complaint, banned single-use plastic items, including plastic glasses, plates, carry bags, straws and spoons, were openly used during the event. Applicant Kapil Arora submitted photographs in support of his allegations. He also claimed that complaints had earlier been lodged with the PPCB but no action was taken by the board. In his complaint, Arora also sought inspection of all compostable plastic manufacturing units in the state and UT and suggested that assistance from CIPET could be sought, if needed. The applicant further alleged that CPCB directions are not being followed in the state. Over 3 kg heroin seized from injured biker Tribune News Service Cops are also verifying route taken by victim, suspects after robbery a motorcycle allegedly intercepted him. One of them reportedly brandished a sharp weapon and threatened him. After which, the suspects snatched his bag containing the cash and sled the scene. The complainant approached the police on Thursday, following which an FIR was registered against the miscreants. Sub-Inspector Surjit Singh, the investigating officer, said footage of CCTV cameras installed near the crime scene was being examined to establish the identity of the suspects. The police are also verifying the route taken by the complainant and the suspects after the robbery. The suspects have been booked under Sections 304(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Plastic waste lying at the PAU grounds during an event. FILE Students perform during Parwaaz 2026, the central zone youth festival of the IKGPTU, Jalandhar, at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College in Ludhiana on Friday. P3 Ludhiana, October 16 The Division Number 2 police have seized 3.697 kg of heroin from a motorcycle-borne man who was admitted to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital following a road accident on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Niranjan Singh (30) of Khehra Bet village in the Ladhowal area, was seriously injured after his motorcycle was reportedly hit by a speeding truck. According to the police, he was travelling from Phillaur towards the Ladhowal toll barrier when the accident occurred. He was taken to a hospital in Phillaur and was later shifted to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital. The case came to light when the hospital authorities informed the police about the unidentified accident victim. As the police tried to establish his identity and locate his family members, they checked the bag he was carrying. The search allegedly led to the recovery of 3.697 kg of hero- Was admitted to Civil Hospital after road accident in, following which a case was registered against him. Inspector Gaganpreet Singh, SHO, Division Number 2 police station, said a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was also registered in the past against the suspect. Police records showed that the Nawanshahr police had arrested him in 2024 after allegedly recovering 7 gm of heroin from his possession. He was later released on bail in December 2025. The police said the man was currently in a critical condition and not in a position to be questioned. “Once he regains consciousness, we will question him to find out from where the heroin was sourced and whether he was working with anyone else,” the SHO said. Dist sees over 80 malaria cases, Health Dept steps up surveillance Tribune News Service Health officials on Friday conducted an extensive anti-malaria surveillance and larvae-checking drive across Ludhiana. FILE Ludhiana, October 16 The district has reported over 80 malaria cases this year so far and the Health Department has urged residents to observe dry day on every Friday. Dry day means emptying and cleaning all sources of stagnant water to stop the breeding of vector-borne disease mosquitoes. The Health Department on Friday conducted an extensive anti-malaria surveillance and larvaechecking campaign across Ludhiana, with health Prevention requires sustained efforts, active cooperation from all, says Civil Surgeon SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA PRECAUTIONS ■ Fever and chills ■ Mosquito repellent and ■ Profuse sweating creams should be used ■ Anti-mosquito spray should be used daily, especially behind curtains and below tables ■ Change water in pots kept in drawing rooms ■ Headache ■ Fatigue and malaise ■ Gastrointestinal distress teams visiting residential areas as well as government and private offices to identify and eliminate c m y b potential mosquito-breeding sites. People were sensitised to the importance of regular every week ■ Don’t keep items such as uncovered utensils, pots and tyres on the rooftop or in the open ■ Don’t allow fresh water to accumulate near houses checking and maintaining a clean and dry environment. Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Ramandeep Kaur, said malaria prevention requires sustained efforts and active cooperation from every section of society. She said: “The Health Department is continuously strengthening surveillance and preventive activities to check the spread of malaria. However, prevention of the disease is a collective responsibility and every resident should regularly inspect their premises and remove any stagnant water, as even a small amount of accumulated water can become a breeding ground for malaria mosquitoes. Cooperation with health teams and timely reporting of suspected breeding sites can play an important role in protecting our communities.” Dr Ramandeep Kaur urged citizens and office administrations to remain vigilant and follow the ‘Dry Day’ practice every week by checking coolers, water tanks, flowerpots, tyres, containers and other waterholding objects. She said eliminating mosquito breeding sites at the source remains one of the most important measures for preventing malaria transmission.