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Harsimran Singh Batra

Articles by Harsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana MC’s failure to ensure quality checks mar multi-crore road development projects launched ahead of the Punjab assembly polls

The multi-crore road construction projects taken up by the Ludhiana MC ahead of the Punjab assembly polls have seemingly failed to yield the desired results as residents and commuters have accused the civic body of failing to ensure quality checks

Ludhiana MC contractors repairing the damaged DMC road, one of the many built under the multi-crore road development projects launched ahead of the Punjab assembly polls. (HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 17, 2022 01:12 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana | BJP sees four-cornered fight for party ticket in central constituency

BJP state vice-president Parveen Bansal, treasurer Gurdev Sharma Debi, trade cell convener Dinesh Sarpal and former health minister Satpal Gosain’s daughter, district vice-president Rajeshwari Gosain, are likely to slug it out for the BJP ticket in the central constituency

The leaders have already started rounding up their troops, and have been mustering residents’ support in the central constituency. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on Jan 15, 2022 12:39 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Skies painted in political colours as parties engage in battle of kites in Ludhiana

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Ludhiana North, Madan Lal Bagga, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket aspirants Gurdev Sharma Debi from Ludhiana central and Mahesh Sharma from Ludhiana North were among the few who took to this novel way of campaigning at a time when election gatherings have been restricted due to surge in coronavirus cases.

Supporters of AAP candidate Madan Lal Bagga with printed kites in Ludhiana on Thursday. (HT Photo)

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Published on Jan 14, 2022 02:13 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

AAP’s decision to give Sahnewal ticket to Congress turncoat Hardeep Mundian ruffles feathers

At least five others, including Pardeep Khalsa, Baljit Grewal, Rachhpal Singh, Gurcharan Singh and Parminder Singh, all holding offices in the state and district unit of AAP, have objected to the party’s decision to give Hardeep Mundian a ticket to fight from Sahnewal during the upcoming assembly elections

AAP has given its Sahnewal ticket to Congress turncoat Hardeep Mundian, a move that has not gone down well with many in the party. (HT PHoto)

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Published on Jan 13, 2022 12:35 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana to soon have plastic recycling machines

The proposal, a part of the Ludhiana smart city mission, will have a provision of giving away reward coupons for recycling plastic waste in the machines.

A plastic recycling machines set up at civil Hospital in Ludhiana. It will become operational before the end of the month. (HT Photo)

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Published on Jan 11, 2022 01:40 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana| Cong splurges on hoardings ahead of polls, Oppn dubs it ‘ ₹19-cr scam’

Slamming the Congress for misusing public funds, the opposition has termed the move as a ₹19-crore scam, where the outdoor media advertisement contractor was given an undue monetary benefit in Ludhiana

These hoardings promote the recent decisions taken by the ruling party, including waiving off pending power arrears for consumers with connections up to 2KW, reducing water tariff for residential buildings, and reducing the power tariff among other welfare schemes. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Jan 10, 2022 01:28 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana gym owners unhappy over shutdown order

Ludhiana gym owners say the fitness sector was being unfairly targeted as no other sector had been shutdown in the wake of the surge in cases; experts say gyms are at higher risk as people share machines and workout in a closed environment

As per the latest orders, gyms in the state (except those being used by sports persons participating in international, and national-level contests) will remain closed till January 15. There are around 1,000 gyms in Punjab, of which 100 are in Ludhiana. (HT PHOTO )

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Published on Jan 06, 2022 01:33 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Covid norms go for a toss as residents throng vaccination centres in Ludhiana

The health department struggled to manage huge crowds that thronged Ludhiana’s vaccination centres at the urban community health centre, Jawaddi and the civil surgeon office amid rising cases

People, waiting in long queues at the Covid vaccination centre in Ludhiana’s civil surgeon office, criticised the health department and rued having to make multiple trips to get the doses administered. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Jan 05, 2022 01:16 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Don’t mislead women by promising sops: Ashu’s wife to parties

Tagging Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Sidhu, Congress state in-charge Harish Chaudhary, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi among others, Mamta, who is a Ludhiana municipal councillor, tweeted “Please Hamari Boli na lagayein” (please stop placing bids on women)

Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s wife Mamta Ashu.

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Published on Jan 05, 2022 01:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Slow start to teen vaccinations in Ludhiana as only 198 turn up on Day 1

As per the health department, there are around 2.25 lakh children in the 15-18 age group in Ludhiana. Despite several awareness sessions organised by the administration, the turnout on the first day, when 13 session sites were set up, was not satisfactory.

A medic administers Covid vaccine to a teen at urban community health centre, Ludhiana, on Monday. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Jan 04, 2022 01:06 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Lockdown-like situation in New Delhi leaves Ludhiana’s hosiery and textile sector staring at losses

Ludhiana’s hosiery and textile sector, which was already struggling with dropping sales due to relatively high temperatures being witnessed during the winter season and pandemic-related restrictions, are looking at around 50% losses after the lockdown-like situation in New Delhi owing to rising Covid cases.

Ludhiana ‘s hosiery and textile sector in Ludhiana have been left staring at losses as demands for products has gone down after a lockdown-like situation in New Delhi following a spurt in Covid cases. (Representative photo/HT File)

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Published on Jan 03, 2022 03:58 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Corrupt leaders being pressured through Central agencies like ED to join BJP: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that corrupt leaders are being pressured to join the BJP by using pressure tactics through Union government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that the BJP was nowhere seen in the state in the last five years and now the party is forcing leaders to join them by pressuring them through the ED and other Central government agencies. (HT File Photo)

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Published on Jan 02, 2022 02:00 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Malhar Road project misses Christmas deadline

Ludhiana residents demanded the Malhar Road project that has breezed past its December-25 deadline be expedited as already two years have elapsed

It did not help that construction work is also taking place on the Ferozepur Road and Pakhowal Road railway crossing, which has increased traffic on Malhar Road (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Dec 26, 2021 04:12 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana Court Complex blast: City on high alert, but no frisking at bus stand

Hundreds of visitors from different districts and states visit the bus stand, but no metal detectors have been installed at the entry points; a day after the Ludhiana Court Complex blast no tightening of security was seen

Even though the city was on high alert a day after the explosion at the Ludhiana Court Complex, nothing seemed out of the ordinary at the Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Inter State Bus Terminal on Friday, as travellers were not subjected to checking or frisking. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Dec 25, 2021 04:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

SKM should not take a political plunge, says Darshan Pal

Some farm leaders were felicitated at Punjab Agricultural University; the view of Darshan Pal was that the SKM needed to continue working for the farmers

Each farm leader and union has the right to take the path of their choice, but in my opinion, the SKM should not take a plunge into politics, the leader of the Krantikari Kisan Union said in Ludhiana. (HT Photo)

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Published on Dec 22, 2021 02:02 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ahead of Dec 23 meet with Channi, farmers say debt waiver, cancellation of FIRs key

Farmers meeting Punjab CM have got their official invitation for December 23; they gathered on Saturday to finalise the issues they want to raise, of which debt waiver and cancellation of FIRs is main demand

Channi will meet farmers on December 23. and the union wants to ensure that contractual workers are regularised; for now, there has been no final call on entering politics. (HT Photo)

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Published on Dec 19, 2021 12:30 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana: Officials indifferent to potholes, grime coating MC’s multi-storey parking

MC Zone A parking’s abject state of disrepair, with potholed floors, defunctional lifts, stinking washrooms, and a thick coating of grime still remain unserviced.

A view of multi-storey MC parking near MC Zone A office in pathetic condition a on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Dec 09, 2021 03:13 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Firefighters risk life and limb, while safety suits sit smart in safe

The safety suits have been carefully kept in a store, and have not yet been distributed among the Ludhiana-based firefighters, who put their lives at risk while dousing flames without any safety

There are not enough safety suits for firefighters in Ludhiana. Only 15 safety suits have been purchased against around 100 leading firefighters, and drivers in the fire brigade. The department says more suits will be purchased. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on Nov 28, 2021 03:35 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

IT raids on Ayali, realtor led to seizure of ₹4.3 cr: CBDT

The recent Income Tax (IT) raids on two real estate developers, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, have led to seizure of unaccounted cash and unexplained jewellery worth around ₹4

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Published on Nov 28, 2021 12:26 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana: No water, no votes, say protesting Dugri residents

Staging a protest on Wednesday, the residents of Ward 43 said Congress councillor Reet Kaur and halqa in-charge Kamaljit Karwal had failed to pay heed to the problem in Dugri

The Dugri residents urged the chief minister have the issue resolved or they will not vote for the Congress candidate from Atam Nagar constituency. (Representative Image/HT Photo)

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Published on Nov 25, 2021 03:46 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Pakhowal road ROB, RUB project: Detours, long jams order of the day in Ludhiana

The stretch, which is almost a kilometre-long, has been closed since December, 2020, for the construction of a railway over bridge and two railway under bridges at the railway crossing on Pakhowal road in Ludhiana district of Punjab

For commuters moving towards the Canal Bridge from Sarabha Nagar and Hero Bakery Chowk, closure of the stretch on Pakhowal Road has meant taking a detour via the Shastri Nagar Railway Crossing, Model Town Extension, or Cremation Ground Road (Ishmeet Singh Road) in Ludhiana. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Nov 24, 2021 02:45 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Punjab polls: Channi enjoys tea with autowallahs, Kejriwal has dinner at auto driver’s house in Ludhiana

Both Channi and Kejiwal promise to solve problems of autowallahs in Punjab. While Channi enjoyed tea with auto drivers at Gill Chowk in Ludhiana, Kejriwal had dinner with an autorickshaw driver Dilip Kumar at his house

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal having dinner at the residence of autorickshaw driver Dilip Kumar in Ludhiana on Monday. Earlier, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi had tea with autowallahs. (ANI)

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Published on Nov 23, 2021 02:00 AM IST

ByMohit Khanna and Harsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Pakhowal ROB, RUB project: Amid piling losses, shopkeepers upset over ‘lockdown-like’ situation

In the second instalment of a three-part series on the Pakhowal road project and the inconvenience caused due to delay in its completion, HT puts the spotlight on the plight of the business community

With the project blowing past its deadlines, many traders, primarily tenants, have relocated their businesses, while others are looking for a way out. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Nov 23, 2021 01:55 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Pakhowal road ROB, RUB project set to miss December deadline too

Launched with an aim to ease the traffic flow on the Pakhowal road, the much-touted railway overbride and railway underbridge project has had a string of missed deadlines. In this three-part series, starting today, Hindustan Times looks at the reason for the delay and the trouble it is causing to the residents, commuters and shopkeepers in the area.

The much-touted project for establishing a railway overbridge (ROB) and two railway underbridges (RUB) on Pakhowal road railway crossing was started with an aim to ease traffic flow. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Nov 22, 2021 02:04 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Swachh Survekshan 2021: Poor waste management behind Ludhiana’s rank slip

The ranking also dropped as Ludhiana municipal corporation only has open defecation free (ODF) plus certificate while other urban local bodies in the state, including Amritsar, have ODF++. It costed at least 300 marks in Swachh Survekshan 2021 to Ludhiana MC.

Swachh Survekshan 2021: Open dumping of garbage has been a blot on the image of Ludhiana. Over 1,100 metric tonne of garbage is generated in Ludhiana on a daily basis. There are around 40 open secondary dump sites in Ludhiana. (HT File)

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Published on Nov 21, 2021 01:02 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Farm laws repealed: Ludhiana industry anticipates boost in business, investment

With the farm laws repealed, industrialists in Ludhiana are hoping that peace in the state will boost investment and business as investers and customers from outside the state will be able to visit the industrial hub without any fear

With the farm laws repealed, Ludhiana industrialists are anticipating a boost in business, and investment. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Updated on Nov 20, 2021 05:59 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana: 9 months on, anti-smog project hangs fire amid worsening air quality

Nine months after the Ludhiana municipal corporation officials tested anti-smog guns, the project is yet to take off despite the compromised air quality in Ludhiana

The air quality index for Ludhiana had dived into the ‘very-poor’ category due to stubble burning, bursting of fire crackers during the festive season and weather conditions conducive to formation of smog. (HT PHOTO )

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Published on Nov 18, 2021 02:10 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Sans fire brigade, Doraha perched on powder keg

Though a fire tender borrowed from the Samrala fire station has been stationed at Doraha for around one year, the fire fighters lack modern equipment and the foam solution required to douse fires caused due to chemicals

Industrialists in Jaspalon village, around 5 -6km from Doraha, have also raised a demand to set up a fire brigade in the area. (HT PHOTO )

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Published on Nov 16, 2021 01:13 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana road cave-in plays spoilsport for shopkeepers this Dhanteras

Ruing losses at Dhanteras, shopkeepers slammed the Ludhiana civic body for the ‘slow pace’ of repair work at road cave-in site

Shopkeepers sitting idle outside their shops on the occasion of Dhanteras in Deep Nagar of Ludhiana on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

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Published on Nov 03, 2021 04:31 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Defunct streetlights to play a spoilsport during Diwali

Ludhiana MC chief Pardeep Sabharwal said contractor company officials have already been directed to ensure all streetlights were functional, not only near Diwali but on regular days too

Defunct streetlights in Model Town in Ludhiana on Monday. (Harsimar Pal Singh/Hindustan Times)

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Published on Nov 02, 2021 01:08 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

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Harsimran Singh Batra

The multi-crore road construction projects taken up by the Ludhiana MC ahead of the Punjab assembly polls have seemingly failed to yield the desired results as residents and commuters have accused the civic body of failing to ensure quality checks

BJP state vice-president Parveen Bansal, treasurer Gurdev Sharma Debi, trade cell convener Dinesh Sarpal and former health minister Satpal Gosain’s daughter, district vice-president Rajeshwari Gosain, are likely to slug it out for the BJP ticket in the central constituency

The proposal, a part of the Ludhiana smart city mission, will have a provision of giving away reward coupons for recycling plastic waste in the machines.

Slamming the Congress for misusing public funds, the opposition has termed the move as a ₹19-crore scam, where the outdoor media advertisement contractor was given an undue monetary benefit in Ludhiana

Ludhiana gym owners say the fitness sector was being unfairly targeted as no other sector had been shutdown in the wake of the surge in cases; experts say gyms are at higher risk as people share machines and workout in a closed environment

The health department struggled to manage huge crowds that thronged Ludhiana’s vaccination centres at the urban community health centre, Jawaddi and the civil surgeon office amid rising cases

Tagging Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Sidhu, Congress state in-charge Harish Chaudhary, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi among others, Mamta, who is a Ludhiana municipal councillor, tweeted “Please Hamari Boli na lagayein” (please stop placing bids on women)

As per the health department, there are around 2.25 lakh children in the 15-18 age group in Ludhiana. Despite several awareness sessions organised by the administration, the turnout on the first day, when 13 session sites were set up, was not satisfactory.

Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that corrupt leaders are being pressured to join the BJP by using pressure tactics through Union government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

Ludhiana residents demanded the Malhar Road project that has breezed past its December-25 deadline be expedited as already two years have elapsed

Hundreds of visitors from different districts and states visit the bus stand, but no metal detectors have been installed at the entry points; a day after the Ludhiana Court Complex blast no tightening of security was seen

Some farm leaders were felicitated at Punjab Agricultural University; the view of Darshan Pal was that the SKM needed to continue working for the farmers

Farmers meeting Punjab CM have got their official invitation for December 23; they gathered on Saturday to finalise the issues they want to raise, of which debt waiver and cancellation of FIRs is main demand

MC Zone A parking’s abject state of disrepair, with potholed floors, defunctional lifts, stinking washrooms, and a thick coating of grime still remain unserviced.

The safety suits have been carefully kept in a store, and have not yet been distributed among the Ludhiana-based firefighters, who put their lives at risk while dousing flames without any safety

The recent Income Tax (IT) raids on two real estate developers, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, have led to seizure of unaccounted cash and unexplained jewellery worth around ₹4

Staging a protest on Wednesday, the residents of Ward 43 said Congress councillor Reet Kaur and halqa in-charge Kamaljit Karwal had failed to pay heed to the problem in Dugri

The stretch, which is almost a kilometre-long, has been closed since December, 2020, for the construction of a railway over bridge and two railway under bridges at the railway crossing on Pakhowal road in Ludhiana district of Punjab

Both Channi and Kejiwal promise to solve problems of autowallahs in Punjab. While Channi enjoyed tea with auto drivers at Gill Chowk in Ludhiana, Kejriwal had dinner with an autorickshaw driver Dilip Kumar at his house

In the second instalment of a three-part series on the Pakhowal road project and the inconvenience caused due to delay in its completion, HT puts the spotlight on the plight of the business community

The ranking also dropped as Ludhiana municipal corporation only has open defecation free (ODF) plus certificate while other urban local bodies in the state, including Amritsar, have ODF++. It costed at least 300 marks in Swachh Survekshan 2021 to Ludhiana MC.

With the farm laws repealed, industrialists in Ludhiana are hoping that peace in the state will boost investment and business as investers and customers from outside the state will be able to visit the industrial hub without any fear

Nine months after the Ludhiana municipal corporation officials tested anti-smog guns, the project is yet to take off despite the compromised air quality in Ludhiana

Though a fire tender borrowed from the Samrala fire station has been stationed at Doraha for around one year, the fire fighters lack modern equipment and the foam solution required to douse fires caused due to chemicals

Ruing losses at Dhanteras, shopkeepers slammed the Ludhiana civic body for the ‘slow pace’ of repair work at road cave-in site

Ludhiana MC chief Pardeep Sabharwal said contractor company officials have already been directed to ensure all streetlights were functional, not only near Diwali but on regular days too

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