05112026-ATR-01.qxd 11/4/2026 11:19 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C SPECIAL KIDS SHOWCASE CREATIVITY AT EXHIBITION AIR POLLUTION A MAJOR HEALTH CHALLENGE: EXPERTS CELEBS SPREAD FESTIVE CHEER AHEAD OF DIWALI Children with special needs display crafts at a three-day Diwali gift and sale exhibition. P2 Prolonged exposure to air pollution behind respiratory diseases, heart attacks and other ailments, say experts.P3 Film producer Ramesh Taurani and his wife Varsha Taurani host a starstudded Diwali bash in Mumbai. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 5.35 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:45 AM » THURSDAY | 5 NOVEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Waste burning fuelling pollution; city, outskirts engulfed in smoke Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 Each year after stubble burning, cracker bursting adds to pollution levels. What worsens the situation is garbage burning. Despite the government and the Municipal Corporation claiming that there has been an improvement in solid waste management, garbage continues to pile up in the city and its peripheral areas. Also, fresh dumping spots keep coming up at several places. The failure to streamline door-to-door garbage lifting and clear existing dumps has added to residents’ woes. In the absence of an organised solid waste management system in villages and peripheral areas, garbage burning has become common. Smoke billowing out of the burning waste not only adds to the pollution, but also caused inconvenience to commuters and residents. A major incident was witnessed on Sunday night near the Vallah overbridge, close to the city’s main vegetable market, where a garbage dumb had been set afire. Thick smoke engulfed the area, making it difficult for commuters to pass through the stretch. Police personnel The failure on the part of officials concerned to streamline door-todoor garbage lifting and clear dumps adds to residents’ woes. VALLAH OVERBRIDGE LATEST ADDITION On Sunday night, smoke billowing out of a garbage dump near the Vallah overbridge, close to the city’s main vegetable market, made it difficult for commuters to pass through the stretch. Police personnel deployed at a nearby checkpoint said garbage was frequently set on fire in the area. deployed at a nearby checkpoint said garbage was frequently set on fire at the spot, causing them inconvenience while performing their duty. The problem is not confined to the outskirts. Social activist Pawan Sharma has repeatedly highlighted incidents of garbage burning in Ranjit Avenue and other parts of the city. Recently, he raised the issue of waste being set afire in Ranjit Avenue, one of the city’s posh localities. The burning site is located close to Beant Park, where a large number of residents come for morning and evening walks. Sharma said he had also highlighted garbage burning at the historic Ram Bagh (Company Bagh) a few months ago. The Municipal Corporation had issued show-cause notices to its officials in connection with the matter, he added. However, incidents of waste burning continued to be reported from different parts of the city. Drawing a comparison with action against stubble burning, Sharma said farmers faced police cases and other action for setting crop residue on fire, whereas there appeared to be little accountability for the burning of municipal waste. He questioned whether the authorities were investigating such incidents or registering cases against those responsible. “Stubble burning undoubtedly affects air quality, but why is garbage burning not treated with the same seriousness? Does remote-sensing data distinguish between fires involving municipal continued on page 2 According to the PPCB data, there were 152 incidents of stubble burning in Amritsar till October 29. Air cleaner in comparison with past years, say officials Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 Clean air has become a luxury. But the holy city has, somehow, managed to make it affordable, if the PPCB data is anything to go by. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved in the city in comparison with the previous years. As per the PPCB, the city’s AQI value remained between 116 and 123 in the past four days. It may not fall in the satisfactory category, but officials say it is far better as compared to the previous years. They added that the air quality had improved in the past two years. According to the PPCB data, there were 154 incidents of stubble burning till October 29. Inspections were carried out in 150 locations and straw burning AQI OVER YEARS 116 AQI between Nov 1-4, 2026 228 AQI between Oct 26-30 in 2024 310 AQI on Oct 27 in 2023 confirmed at 75 sites. The trend went downwards in Amritsar, which recorded only 152 farm fires. The number was extremely high at 472 in 2024. The same year (2024), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated that Amritsar district’s AQI for five days from October 26 to 30 remained 228, 310, 160, 185 and 185, respectively. On October 27, 2023, when Amritsar’s AQI (310) dipped to the “very poor” category, other cities like Ludhiana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Patiala, Jalandhar and Khanna recorded much better air quality. The AQI in these cities was 152, 219, 202, 157 and 136, respectively. Surinder Singh, a businessman, said the haze would leave one almost breathless. “We used to wait for the rain so as to get some relief,” he added. Vikas Khanna, a local, said: “Each year around this time, the visibility would reduce, but this time, the case is not the same.” Amritpal Singh Chahal, environmental engineer, PPCB, said awareness campaigns had made the difference this time. “Apart from residue management, district administrations are promoting crop diversification to prevent stubble burning,” he added. Be job creators, not job seekers: Need to clean up the act: Experts on poor air quality Delhi L-G advocates self-reliance Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 With the rising air pollution posing an increasingly serious threat to public health, AirCare Centre, in collaboration with Clean Air Punjab, organised a convening titled “The Human Cost of Air Pollution” at the Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar. The event brought together academicians, medical professionals, public health experts, faculty members and students to deliberate on the growing Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s oneday visit to Amritsar on Tuesday brought together personal legacy, spiritual reflection and a message of economic selfreliance, as he urged young people to draw strength from their roots while contributing to a Viksit Bharat. Sandhu began the visit by paying obeisance at Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheedan, Tahla Sahib. Remembering Baba Deep Singh’s courage, devotion and supreme sacrifice, he prayed for peace, prosperity and progress of Amritsar, Punjab, Delhi and the country. He also interacted with locals. The visit acquired a personal dimension when Sandhu reached Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Senior Secondary School at Sarhali Kalan in Tarn Taran, founded by his grandfather Sardar Teja Singh Samundri in 1917. Interacting with students and faculty, he said their enthusiasm and discipline filled him with pride and hope. The Delhi Lieutenant-Governor urged them to remain connected with their heritage, pursue excellence and contribute to nation-building. Inaugurating the school’s new gymnasium, he called upon students to make fitness and sports a lifelong habit, while emphasising that physical strength, mental resilience and academic excellence must go hand in hand. Sandhu said a healthy, strong and disciplined youth was essential to building a Viksit Bharat. At the Swadeshi Deepawali Mela, organised by the Swadeshi Manch at Dussehra Ground, Ranjit Avenue, he delivered a message centred on indige- Pharma drug dealer shot at Experts at Khalsa College in Amritsar on Wednesday. impact of deteriorating air quality on human health, wellbeing and quality of life. The discussions highlight- Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu at Swadeshi Diwali Mela in Amritsar on Wednesday. nous enterprise, entrepreneurship and India’s economic ambitions. “Swadeshi today is not just about buying Indian products, but about creating, innovating and manufacturing in India,” he said, underlining the role of MSMEs, local businesses and artisans in generating employment and strengthening the economy. Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Sandhu said self-reliance was not about isolation, but about building indigenous capabilities to compete globally. He said the country’s youth had the talent to reshape India’s economic future by combining traditional arts, craftsmanship and skills with modern technology. Calling upon young people to take pride in homegrown products, he urged them to move beyond being consumers of technology and become creators, innovators and entrepreneurs. “Be job creators, not job seekers,” he told the youth, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to take calculated risks, learn from failures and turn ideas into sustainable businesses. Citing over 2.23 lakh DPIITrecognised startups in the country as of March 2026, Sandhu also stressed the need to connect traditional artisans and local industries with modern design, digital marketing and innovative business models. c m y b education, awareness and community participation. “Educational institutions have an important responsibility in informing the youth, promoting environmental consciousness and encouraging responsible action. Connecting environmental protection with everyday health and quality of life is the need of the hour,” he said. Dr Richa Verma, epidemiologist, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Civil Surgeon Office, Amritsar, highlighted the public health continued on page 2 Police crack Taran Wala Pul murder case, arrest 7 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 A pharma drug trader was shot in the leg by three motorcycle-borne assailants during a robbery bid in an area falling under the Ram Bagh police jurisdiction. The victim, identified as Inderpreet, a wholesaler, was returning home when he was attacked following a robbery bid around 12.30 am last night. The assailants first snatched cash from him and then tried to take away his mobile phone. However, Inderpreet resisted and confronted the robbers. Angered by his resistance, one of the accused opened fire at him. The bullet hit his leg, passing through the calf below the knee, leaving him injured. The three assailants fled the scene immediately after the firing. Following the incident, the police rushed to the spot and shifted theinjuredtradertotheCivilHospital. Manmohan Singh Aulakh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the victim was stable and out of danger. The police recorded the victim’s statement and registered a case. Efforts were underway to identify and arrest the accused, they said. ed how prolonged exposure to polluted air was contributing to a growing public health challenge, with conse- quences extending far beyond respiratory illnesses. Speakers drew attention to the aggravation of existing health conditions, increased vulnerability among children and older people, and the often-overlooked psychological impacts of air pollution, including anxiety and everyday stress. Delivering the keynote address, Prof Dr Mehal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Khalsa University, emphasised the need for collective efforts to address the growing challenge of air pollution through Amritsar, November 4 With the arrest of seven persons, the police today claimed to have solved the murder of a youth in a firing incident at Taran Wala Pul on GT Road on October 29. Two .32-bore pistols, a dagger and three two-wheelers allegedly used in the crime were also taken into possession. The deceased, Akashdeep Singh of Kotli Sakka village, and Sharanjit Singh were attacked by the armed assailants. Sharanjit’s statement led to the registration of a case under Sections103,109,126(2)and61(2)of theBNSandrelevantprovisionsof the Arms Act at the Maqboolpura police station on October 30. Jaskiranjit Singh Teja, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the accused had been identified as Sumanpreet Singh, alias Suman (20), and Harman Singh, alias Hamu (23), both residents of Kotli Sakka village; Varinder (26), a resident of Guru Arjan PO injured in exchange of fire Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 A proclaimed offender was injured in an exchange of fire with the Amritsar Commissionerate Police on Wednesday evening. Identified as Akashdeep Singh, alias Akash, a resident of Qadian in Batala police district, the PO sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was admitted to a hospital. A.30-bore pistol, two empty cartridges and three live cartridges were recovered from him. The police also impounded an Activa scooter. Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said the accused was traced following intelligence inputs. When a police team signalled him to Dev Nagar on Tarn Taran Road; Dharminder Singh (26) of Daburji villageinTarn Taran district; Satbir Singh (30), also a resident of Guru Arjan Dev Nagar; Amar Singh (20) of Shaura village; and Gagandeep Singh (27), a resident of Warpal village, presently living near Gurdwara Bhai Lalo continued on page 2 Row erupts as drug peddler flees custody Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Police personnel examine the encounter spot in Amritsar. stop, he allegedly opened fire at police officials. Despite being asked to surrender, he continued firing, following which, the police retaliated in self-defence, injuring him, he said. Preliminary investigation revealed that seven criminal cases were registered against Akashdeep at different police stations. The Police Commissioner said he, along with his four accomplices, had allegedly robbed a money exchange shop in Batala at continued on page 2 Amritsar, November 4 The escape of alleged drug peddler Sandeep Singh, alias Kali, a resident of Shamsherpur village falling under Ghanie Ke Bangar police jurisdiction in Batala from police custody has triggered a political controversy, with SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleging that the accused had received visits from VIP guests during his hospital stay. In a post on X, Majithia claimed that four FIRs had already been registered against continued on page 2