News / Author / Harsimran Singh Batra

Harsimran Singh Batra

Articles by Harsimran Singh Batra

Kin’s angst still simmers three years after death of 9 firemen in Ludhiana factory collapse

Despite running from pillar to post, families of three firemen still deprived of government jobs promised as part of compensation.

Fireman Manpreet Singh’s sister was promised a government job, but the matter remains embroiled in red tape, says their father Malkit Singh (right).(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Published on Nov 20, 2020 10:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Fleecing at parking lots in Ludhiana: Nexus of MC, pvt staff taking toll on visitors

At most lots, no receipt is issued, and the amount collected is pocketed by private staff and contractors

The municipal corporation has also been receiving complaints of private staff misbehaving with visitors at parking lots.(Harsimar Pal SIngh/HT)

cities

Published on Nov 19, 2020 11:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC employees fleece visitors at parking lots

Six parking lots are being managed by the MC after the contracts had expired.

Rs 50 instead of Rs 20 is being charged for car parking at the multi-storey parking lot near the MC headquarters.(Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Nov 18, 2020 10:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Duty before family for firefighters in Ludhiana

Around 102 firefighters were deployed on both day and night duty on Saturday.

cities

Updated on Nov 15, 2020 11:02 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Festive season drives auto sales in Ludhiana, but dealers still left wanting for more

Pandemic ate into their sales due to shaved-down budgets of consumers, say dealers

On Dhanteras, two-wheeler dealerships saw fewer takers as compared to those selling four-wheelers.(Harsimar Singh/HT)

cities

Published on Nov 13, 2020 12:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

This Dhanteras, gold jewellery loses gleam, silver shines in Ludhiana

Sales dominated by silver, which was available for Rs 64,700 per kg as opposed to gold that sold at Rs 48,900 per 10 grams.

Special festive offers also failed to elicit shopping enthusiasm, as residents stuck to lower quantities, say jewellers.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Published on Nov 13, 2020 12:01 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Green firecrackers only in Punjab: Enforcing ban may prove to be a Herculean task

According to the department of science, technology and environment, Punjab, only firecrackers without barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead and strontium chromate are considered green.

According to firecracker dealers, most fireworks do not bear information on compounds used to manufacture them.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Nov 11, 2020 11:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: MC House approve 60% hike in water-sewer user charges

The House has also revoked the exemption on water-sewer user charges being given to houses on area up to 125 square yards. Now, the exemption will be available only for single-storey houses, on area up to 50 square yards.

The House meet underway at Rose Garden in Ludhiana, on Monday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Nov 11, 2020 12:58 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana smart city project: Of 47 proposed projects, only 7 have been completed in 4 years

With an eye on the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, MP Bittu holds review meeting with city officials, tells them to expedite works

Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu holding a review meeting with officials regarding the smart city mission in Ludhiana on Monday.(Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Nov 10, 2020 01:31 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC to propose 60% hike in water-sewer tariff in House meet

The House meeting will be held on November 10 at the Rose Garden.

If the proposal is approved by the MC General House, water-metering system will also be introduced in the city. Until now, the MC had only been charging the fixed slab rates from users. Once the metering system kicks in, residents will have to pay the fixed charges as well the consumption charges.(AFP)

cities

Updated on Nov 07, 2020 11:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Despite spending crores, no respite from stray dog menace in Ludhiana

MC claims to have spent ₹4 crore and sterilised 50,000 dogs since 2015, when the project was started

Stray dogs roam the streets in Sarabha Nagar in Ludhiana on Wednesday.(Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Nov 06, 2020 11:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times/Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: ‘Agitations to increase tension between industry and farmers’

They rued that over 4,000 consignments are already stuck at the ports due to the rail roko agitation and Thursday’s agitation only added to their woes as they could not carry out inter-district dispatch of goods either.

Trucks stranded on the highway during farmers’ agitations in Ludhiana on Thursday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Published on Nov 06, 2020 01:32 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Survey finds 960 encroachments along Ludhiana’s Buddha Nullah

Approximately 60% of encroachments fall under the residential category and 40% are factories or commercial units.

cities

Updated on Oct 29, 2020 10:17 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: ‘Rail roko’ pushes industry off track with many forced to shut shop, shift to other states

With over four containers carrying goods and raw material worth crores stuck at ports or in transit due to no movement of goods trains in the state, the industry is facing an acute shortage of raw material and exporters fear cancellation of orders due to the delay being caused in delivery of goods.

The cost of raw material available has also increased due to low supply.(HT FILE)

cities

Updated on Oct 27, 2020 11:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

‘Evil’ goes up in flames amid heavy security, contained gatherings in Ludhiana

Limited gatherings, subdued celebrations mark Dussehra celebrations this year.

Ravana Dahan starts off with aiming of arrows at the effigy in Daresi ground as part of the Dussehra celebrations in Ludhiana on Sunday.(Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 25, 2020 10:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

In Ludhiana’s Jagraon, a Covid effigy on Dussehra, to trounce the pandemic

The 15-feet-tall effigy will be burnt along with the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad

cities

Updated on Oct 24, 2020 10:46 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Only 8 Dussehra committees seek permission for Ravana Dahan in Ludhiana

While the number of committees applying for permission may increase in the coming few days, but celebrations are set to remain subdued

Artistes preparing Ravana effigies at the Daresi ground in Ludhiana.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 22, 2020 10:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ahead of Dussehra, pandemic shadows effigy business in Ludhiana

An effigy maker said he had received 15 orders from Ludhiana in 2019, but onlythree this year

Ravana effigies being prepared at Daresi ground in Ludhiana ahead of Dussehra.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 17, 2020 10:29 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Dog sterilisation drive comes to a halt in absence of doctor, staff

Earlier, the project was stopped in August due to the exodus of labourers amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

Only 500 dogs have been sterilised in six months after the lockdown was announced.(HT file)

cities

Updated on Oct 14, 2020 10:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Movie buffs will have to wait as multiplexes yet to take final call on reopening

The management cited low footfall and no new releases as the reason behind the delay in reopening the cinemas.

cities

Updated on Oct 14, 2020 10:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Curfew gone, late-night revellers are back in Ludhiana

A visit to the popular haunts of the city, including Pakhowal road, Malhar road, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar (near Orient cinema), Model town, Dugri and Field Ganj, revealed that most residents are now confident of venturing out in the public as the number of cases have remained well below the 100-mark for the last six days.

Residents at an ice-cream parlour on Malhar road in Ludhiana on Monday.

cities

Updated on Oct 13, 2020 01:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Special relief awaited: 3 years on, families of 9 fallen Ludhiana firemen run from pillar to post

The allowance was announced in January last year when the President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry was awarded to the fallen firefighters

The nine firefighters lost their lives while dousing the flames at a plastic factory near Suffiyan Chowk in November 2017.(HT file photo)

cities

Published on Oct 08, 2020 11:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana mayor faces criticism from party members over bias

Leaders from two areas said councillors of their constituencies were not being made part of development committees

cities

Published on Oct 05, 2020 11:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

GLADA acquires 416 acres in Sekhowal village for Mattewara Industrial Park

In July, Sekhowal residents had opposed the land acquisition, citing that it was the source of income for around 70 families of the village.

Punjab government is planning an industrial park on around 1,000 acres of government and panchayat land in Haidar Nagar, Sekhowal, Salempur, Sailkiana and Machian Kalan villages of Ludhiana district.(HT FIle Photo)

cities

Published on Oct 03, 2020 11:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana’s historical Jagraon Bridge gets new lease of life

132-year-old British-era bridge thrown open to commuters with new look after undergoing repairs worth ₹24 crore for four years.

The width of the railway overbridge has been increased from 7.5 metres to 10.5 metres to allow more lanes.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 01, 2020 11:50 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Former allies SAD, BJP now eyeing leader of opposition seat in Ludhiana MC House

While the Congress party holds a majority in the MC General House with 64 councillors, followed by SAD and BJP, the Lok Insaaf Party comes in fourth with seven councillors

cities

Published on Sep 29, 2020 10:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

SAD quits NDA: BJP no more main opposition party in Ludhiana MC

Uncertainty looms over leader of opposition in the MC general house

cities

Updated on Sep 28, 2020 09:05 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Plan to upgrade Ludhiana’s fire infra doused by admn neglect

Seven months after approval by smart city panel, officials say project still in tendering stage.

Firefighters in the city have to cover their faces with wet cloth to avoid asphyxiation as they don’t have fire safety suits.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Sep 26, 2020 10:39 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Farmers’ protest: Passengers stranded at Ludhiana bus stand as transport suspended

Officials said the services were halted as a precautionary measure to avert any untoward incident during the stir.

Passengers waiting for transport to resume at the Ludhiana bus stand on Friday.(Gurpreet Singh/ HT)

cities

Updated on Sep 25, 2020 10:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

SAD should part ways with BJP, says Akali MLA Ayali

The SAD has been facing the heat of opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), over its stand on the issue. They said that Badal was befooling the farmers by resigning from the cabinet as her party still stood with the BJP.

Dakha MLA Manpreet Ayali said on Thursday that SAD should not stay with BJP, which according to him was destroying farmers.(HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Sep 25, 2020 12:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Ludhiana | ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

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Harsimran Singh Batra

Despite running from pillar to post, families of three firemen still deprived of government jobs promised as part of compensation.

At most lots, no receipt is issued, and the amount collected is pocketed by private staff and contractors

Six parking lots are being managed by the MC after the contracts had expired.

Around 102 firefighters were deployed on both day and night duty on Saturday.

Pandemic ate into their sales due to shaved-down budgets of consumers, say dealers

Sales dominated by silver, which was available for Rs 64,700 per kg as opposed to gold that sold at Rs 48,900 per 10 grams.

According to the department of science, technology and environment, Punjab, only firecrackers without barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead and strontium chromate are considered green.

The House has also revoked the exemption on water-sewer user charges being given to houses on area up to 125 square yards. Now, the exemption will be available only for single-storey houses, on area up to 50 square yards.

With an eye on the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, MP Bittu holds review meeting with city officials, tells them to expedite works

The House meeting will be held on November 10 at the Rose Garden.

MC claims to have spent ₹4 crore and sterilised 50,000 dogs since 2015, when the project was started

They rued that over 4,000 consignments are already stuck at the ports due to the rail roko agitation and Thursday’s agitation only added to their woes as they could not carry out inter-district dispatch of goods either.

Approximately 60% of encroachments fall under the residential category and 40% are factories or commercial units.

With over four containers carrying goods and raw material worth crores stuck at ports or in transit due to no movement of goods trains in the state, the industry is facing an acute shortage of raw material and exporters fear cancellation of orders due to the delay being caused in delivery of goods.

Limited gatherings, subdued celebrations mark Dussehra celebrations this year.

The 15-feet-tall effigy will be burnt along with the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad

While the number of committees applying for permission may increase in the coming few days, but celebrations are set to remain subdued

An effigy maker said he had received 15 orders from Ludhiana in 2019, but onlythree this year

Earlier, the project was stopped in August due to the exodus of labourers amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

The management cited low footfall and no new releases as the reason behind the delay in reopening the cinemas.

The allowance was announced in January last year when the President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry was awarded to the fallen firefighters

Leaders from two areas said councillors of their constituencies were not being made part of development committees

In July, Sekhowal residents had opposed the land acquisition, citing that it was the source of income for around 70 families of the village.

132-year-old British-era bridge thrown open to commuters with new look after undergoing repairs worth ₹24 crore for four years.

While the Congress party holds a majority in the MC General House with 64 councillors, followed by SAD and BJP, the Lok Insaaf Party comes in fourth with seven councillors

Uncertainty looms over leader of opposition in the MC general house

Seven months after approval by smart city panel, officials say project still in tendering stage.

Officials said the services were halted as a precautionary measure to avert any untoward incident during the stir.

The SAD has been facing the heat of opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), over its stand on the issue. They said that Badal was befooling the farmers by resigning from the cabinet as her party still stood with the BJP.

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