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Harsimran Singh Batra

Articles by Harsimran Singh Batra

Punjab’s ban on normal crackers goes up in smoke

Despite the deteriorating air quality and Punjab’s October 26 ban order on normal crackers, traders have gone ahead and set up markets to sell these firecrackers; the argument they advance is that Green Crackers are expensive and cannot be arranged at such short notice

Ludhiana residents at a firecracker market near Grain Market, Jalandhar Bypass, in Ludhiana on Monday. The ban on normal crackers in Punjab is being violated with impunity. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Nov 02, 2021 12:48 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana road cave-in: Deep Nagar area has seen four cave-ins in 2 years

A resident of Deep Nagar in Ludhiana said that with four road cave-ins reported in the last two years, there is always a fear at the back minds of residents.

Two of the road cave-in incidents have been reported outside the old residence of Ludhiana mayor Balkar Sandhu. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Oct 29, 2021 02:57 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana road cave-in: Civic body officials’ nonchalance to blame, say residents

Ahead of the Ludhiana road cave-in, municipal corporation commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal has issued show cause notices to three civic body officials of the bridges and road department for negligence

Residents suspect that the sewer lines had been damaged in the incident and the soil below the road had gradually eroded, which caused the Ludhiana road cave-in. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Oct 29, 2021 02:19 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Staff crunch ails Ludhiana fire brigade, 79% sanctioned posts vacant

Ludhiana fire department has deployed 50 firemen and 23 drivers on outsource/contractual basis to deal with the staff shortage. But officials maintain that it is difficult for outsourced employees to match up to the trained regular staff.

No new post has been created in the Ludhiana fire department for the last four decades. (HT File)

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Published on Oct 27, 2021 12:52 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Mishap-prone: Foggy days ahead but Ludhiana MC yet to start radium tagging of bovines

Ludhiana MC had initiated a trial in April this year; hundreds of stray cattle roam around in different parts of the city putting commuters’ lives at risk

Stray cattle disrupting the flow of traffic in Jamalpur area in Ludhiana. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Oct 27, 2021 12:25 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Allegations fly thick and fast over rape plaint against Simarjit Bains

With one of the two complainants withdrawing the rape plaint against Lok Insaaf Party chief Simarjeet Singh Bains, his constituency, Atam Nagar, has become a political hot bed. LIP alleges Bains was implicated, his rivals say he has forced the woman to backtrack from the complaint

Lok Insaaf party leader Simarjit Singh Bains was accused of rape by two women. In the first complaint, an FIR was registered following court directions while in the second complaint, the complainant herself backtracked. (HT File)

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Updated on Oct 24, 2021 01:56 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Waiver on water bills likely to deepen Ludhiana MC’s financial crisis

The Punjab government’s attempt to woo voters ahead of 2022 assembly elections by waiving pending water bills is expected to further deepen the financial crisis of the fund-starved municipal corporation (MC)

The Ludhiana MC is yet to receive around <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>250 crore as outstanding water-sewer charges. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Published on Oct 20, 2021 12:28 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Festive rush: Ludhiana markets chock-a-block with encroachments once again

Encroachments can be seen in several Ludhiana markets, including Jawahar Nagar market, Field Ganj, Model Town, BRS Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Daresi and others. At some places, mehandi artists have even set up tents ahead of Karva Chauth. The result: traffic snarls and parking woes for the visitors.

Commuters caught in a traffic jam in Field Ganj market amid the festive rush in Ludhiana on Monday. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Updated on Oct 19, 2021 01:14 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Dussehra festivities in Ludhiana: Demon king to go up in flames at 23 locations

With 50% gathering allowed for outdoor events, the Ram Lila committees have opened the gates for residents who missed the Dussehra festivities last year due to the raging pandemic.

An effigy of Meghnath being burnt on the eve of Dussehra festivities at Daresi ground in Ludhiana on Thursday. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Updated on Oct 15, 2021 02:20 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Uncertainty prevails over firecracker wholesalers in Ludhiana

The Ludhiana wholesalers say they have already made huge investments and may run into losses if sales do not pick up; and that the number of licences issued in the city has already been reduced and they can only set shop a week before Diwali, as opposed to a month before the festival of lights as was done before.

The wholesalers have demanded that the validity of licences should be increased, and a few permanent markets be alloted in Ludhiana for the sale of firecrackers. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Oct 14, 2021 01:46 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

In yet another setback, coal crisis saps Ludhiana industry’s energy in festive season

Stakeholders say the Ludhiana industry have been facing loses due to back-to-back crises like the coronavirus pandemic, frequent bandhsand the farmers’ rail-roko agitation say they may not be able to survive the frequent unscheduled power cuts, especially during the festive season

Before the coal crisis hit the country, the Ludhiana industry had suffered power cuts in July due to increased stress on the grid. Industrialists hoping to recover their loses during the festive season were disappointed. (HT Photo)

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Published on Oct 12, 2021 01:20 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Nothing smart about Sarabha Nagar of Ludhiana

The area which was chosen under the ambitious smart city mission suffers from erratic water supply, lack of cleanliness and a plethora of other problems

Potholed roads in Sarabha Nagar of Ludhiana which is one the areas chosen the smart city mission. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Oct 11, 2021 12:43 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC fails to curb use of plastic bags

Commenced on August 2, the special drive against plastic was launched on the directions of Ludhiana mayor Balkar Sandhu was conducted for just two days. Now, the MC employees are also showing resistance in continuing the drive suspecting “punishment posting” after MC secretary Jasdev Sekhon was transferred from the city on August 6 allegedly due to political interference.

Ludhiana MC employees are also showing resistance in continuing the drive against plastic suspecting “punishment posting” after MC secretary Jasdev Sekhon was transferred from the city on August 6 allegedly due to political interference. (HT File/ Representational image)

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Published on Oct 07, 2021 03:42 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Bharat Bandh brings life to a standstill in Ludhiana

Amid heavy police deployment, farmers, who had called for a Bharat Bandh, carried out marches in Ludhiana and forced those who had opened their businesses to shut them down

While a section of shopkeepers in Ludhiana closed their shops to extend support to the farmers’ Bharat Bandh, others shut them down fearing reprisal. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Updated on Sep 28, 2021 12:01 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

100ft Ravana effigy being prepared for mega Dussehra carnival at Ludhiana

A 100ft Ravana effigy will be burnt on Dussehra at the Daresi ground in Ludhiana district; preparations are also underway at Upkar Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, and Dugri

Workmen have started preparing a 100ft effigy of Ravana for the Dussehra festival at Ludhiana. (HARSIMAR PAL SINGH/HT)

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Published on Sep 27, 2021 02:56 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC stops distribution of hiked water and sewer bills in time for assembly polls

The Ludhiana MC general house had approved a resolution to hike the water and sewer tariff for different categories by up to 60% in November 2020 ; the new hiked tariff was imposed in April

Around 45,000 hiked water and sewer bills have not been distributed by the Ludhiana MC. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Published on Sep 26, 2021 02:46 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Punjab CM Channi ‘dummy appointed by Congress to woo dalits’: Opposition

Questions also raised on Punjab CM Channi’s character citing allegations against him during the #MeToo movement

District presidents of Bahujan Samaj Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party were reacting on the statement of Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat, hours before the swearing in ceremony of new Punjab CM Channi, that the upcoming elections will be fought under president of Punjab Pradesh Congresss Committe Navjot Singh. (ANI)

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Published on Sep 21, 2021 01:29 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Plot owners a harried lot amid PSPCL’s deadlock with colony developers

With the PSPCL seeking submission of bank guarantees and installation of electric infrastructure in the colony for providing the NOC, developers are contending that they have applied for regularisation under the policies floated by state government in 2013 and 2018, and they need not to apply for an NOC from the PSPCL, separately; meanwhile, individual plot owners are suffering

Developers say that as per the regularisation policies floated by government, plot holders can also get their individual plots regularised, if the developer is not getting the colony regularised. Therefore, the PSPCL should not insist on a separate NOC. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Updated on Sep 19, 2021 01:55 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC fails to keep rabid dogs on tight leash

With a large number of dog bite cases being reported in the city on a daily basis, the Ludhiana MC has asked Ludhiana residents to be wary and report any dogs suspected to be suffering from the fatal virus

On September 12, the Ludhiana MC was notified about the presence of a rabid dog near the cremation ground in the civil lines area, which had bitten a dozen people. (HT File)

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Updated on Sep 15, 2021 02:46 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana Improvement Trust reserve price row: Auction cancelled, probe marked

Local bodies minister says Ludhiana Improvement Trust auction for commercial land was cancelled because of a discrepancy in statements issued by LIT chairman and DC pertaining to the reserve price

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust auction was nullified hours after Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu also recommended that the auction proceedings be cancelled. It was said that the auction was not cancelled due to allegations of a scam but due to different statements pertaining to reserve price. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on Sep 11, 2021 01:27 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Fleecing at parking lots: Visitors paying the price for Ludhiana MC’s apathy

As per the agreement, ₹20 was fixed for parking cars and ₹10 for two-wheelers. Besides, the contractors were told to issue e-tickets with the approved fee printed on it, but they have been blatantly using manual slips to overcharge visitors

Residents complain that the parking staff issue manual slips instead of e-tickets which reflect the prescribed fee of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>20 for cars and <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>10 for two-wheelers. (Harsimran Singh Batra/HT)

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Published on Sep 05, 2021 11:36 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Waste piles up as Ludhiana’s first static compactor remains out of order

Set up in 2016 in Dugri at a cost of around ₹1 crore, the equipment was meant to compress waste before moving it to Tajpur landfill

Garbage strewn outside the static compactor site in Ludhiana. (Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times)

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Published on Sep 04, 2021 11:54 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC sitting tight on waiving penalty on water, sewerage charges

MC’s system still displays dues with penalty and interest, and unwary consumers are clearing dues without utilising the waiver offered by the government

MC superintending engineer Rajinder Singh said the process got delayed due to some departmental issues and the server/software had been updated on Friday. (HT Photo)

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Published on Sep 04, 2021 12:53 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Streetlights at over 900 points in Ludhiana missing: Survey

Streetlights at over 900 of the total 1

Non-functional streetlights near Gol Market in Model Town area of Ludhiana on Thursday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Aug 27, 2021 01:00 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ahead of Rakhi, encroachments galore in Ludhiana markets

Shopkeepers demanded that the civic body should allow them to install vends during the festival season so as to give them a chance to recover the losses suffered during the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Shopkeepers of Field Ganj area encroaching upon the road with a Rakhi stall in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Aug 19, 2021 12:51 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC’s drive against plastic bags proves a damp squib

After the MC team confiscated over 12.5 quintals of plastic bags and issued challans to the tune of ₹2 lakh to traders, a delegation of plastic manufacturers and traders met Mayor Sandhu for relaxation.

Ludhiana MC’s special team raiding the vegetable markets and shops in Ludhiana on August 2. (HT FILE)

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Published on Aug 18, 2021 03:50 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana building collapse: Escaped certain death by a whisker, say labourers

The labourers, who had a close shave after the adjoining building suddenly collapsed with the rubble falling on the roof of their quarters, say that it was a stroke of luck that the incident did not take place during night, as many people sleep in the verandah or open spaces

The labourers have demanded compensation from the Ludhiana administration saying that they cannot afford to pay for the treatment of those who were injured in the building collapse. (Harsimar Pal Singh/HT)

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Published on Aug 13, 2021 01:09 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana building collapse: Unsafe building not razed in time, say neighbours

The owners of the buildings adjoining the collapsed mill said the Ludhiana MC officials had turned a blind eye to the owner breaking the seal and starting repair work in the unsafe building, setting stage for the collapse

Owners of the three adjoining buildings that were damaged after the two-storeyed building collapse on Ludhiana’s RK Road have sought compensation for the damage to their property and goods. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Aug 13, 2021 01:00 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

10 injured as unsafe building collapses in Ludhiana

More than 100 labourers were present in their quarters when the adjoining building, which was in a dilapidated condition after last year’s fire, collapsed

The building that collapsed on the quarters of labourers in Ludhiana’s industrial area on Thursday morning. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Aug 12, 2021 04:56 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra

Infection among students major setback for Ludhiana schools

The management of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School in Shastri Nagar has decided to discontinue the physical classes for primary sections; however, teaching in online mode will continue

Other schools have also been forced to reconsider the decision to continue in-person teaching. (Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times)

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Published on Aug 12, 2021 01:16 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

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Harsimran Singh Batra

Despite the deteriorating air quality and Punjab’s October 26 ban order on normal crackers, traders have gone ahead and set up markets to sell these firecrackers; the argument they advance is that Green Crackers are expensive and cannot be arranged at such short notice

A resident of Deep Nagar in Ludhiana said that with four road cave-ins reported in the last two years, there is always a fear at the back minds of residents.

Ahead of the Ludhiana road cave-in, municipal corporation commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal has issued show cause notices to three civic body officials of the bridges and road department for negligence

Ludhiana fire department has deployed 50 firemen and 23 drivers on outsource/contractual basis to deal with the staff shortage. But officials maintain that it is difficult for outsourced employees to match up to the trained regular staff.

Ludhiana MC had initiated a trial in April this year; hundreds of stray cattle roam around in different parts of the city putting commuters’ lives at risk

With one of the two complainants withdrawing the rape plaint against Lok Insaaf Party chief Simarjeet Singh Bains, his constituency, Atam Nagar, has become a political hot bed. LIP alleges Bains was implicated, his rivals say he has forced the woman to backtrack from the complaint

The Punjab government’s attempt to woo voters ahead of 2022 assembly elections by waiving pending water bills is expected to further deepen the financial crisis of the fund-starved municipal corporation (MC)

Encroachments can be seen in several Ludhiana markets, including Jawahar Nagar market, Field Ganj, Model Town, BRS Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Daresi and others. At some places, mehandi artists have even set up tents ahead of Karva Chauth. The result: traffic snarls and parking woes for the visitors.

With 50% gathering allowed for outdoor events, the Ram Lila committees have opened the gates for residents who missed the Dussehra festivities last year due to the raging pandemic.

Stakeholders say the Ludhiana industry have been facing loses due to back-to-back crises like the coronavirus pandemic, frequent bandhsand the farmers’ rail-roko agitation say they may not be able to survive the frequent unscheduled power cuts, especially during the festive season

The area which was chosen under the ambitious smart city mission suffers from erratic water supply, lack of cleanliness and a plethora of other problems

Amid heavy police deployment, farmers, who had called for a Bharat Bandh, carried out marches in Ludhiana and forced those who had opened their businesses to shut them down

A 100ft Ravana effigy will be burnt on Dussehra at the Daresi ground in Ludhiana district; preparations are also underway at Upkar Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, and Dugri

The Ludhiana MC general house had approved a resolution to hike the water and sewer tariff for different categories by up to 60% in November 2020 ; the new hiked tariff was imposed in April

Questions also raised on Punjab CM Channi’s character citing allegations against him during the #MeToo movement

With a large number of dog bite cases being reported in the city on a daily basis, the Ludhiana MC has asked Ludhiana residents to be wary and report any dogs suspected to be suffering from the fatal virus

Local bodies minister says Ludhiana Improvement Trust auction for commercial land was cancelled because of a discrepancy in statements issued by LIT chairman and DC pertaining to the reserve price

As per the agreement, ₹20 was fixed for parking cars and ₹10 for two-wheelers. Besides, the contractors were told to issue e-tickets with the approved fee printed on it, but they have been blatantly using manual slips to overcharge visitors

Set up in 2016 in Dugri at a cost of around ₹1 crore, the equipment was meant to compress waste before moving it to Tajpur landfill

MC’s system still displays dues with penalty and interest, and unwary consumers are clearing dues without utilising the waiver offered by the government

Streetlights at over 900 of the total 1

Shopkeepers demanded that the civic body should allow them to install vends during the festival season so as to give them a chance to recover the losses suffered during the pandemic-induced lockdown.

After the MC team confiscated over 12.5 quintals of plastic bags and issued challans to the tune of ₹2 lakh to traders, a delegation of plastic manufacturers and traders met Mayor Sandhu for relaxation.

The labourers, who had a close shave after the adjoining building suddenly collapsed with the rubble falling on the roof of their quarters, say that it was a stroke of luck that the incident did not take place during night, as many people sleep in the verandah or open spaces

The owners of the buildings adjoining the collapsed mill said the Ludhiana MC officials had turned a blind eye to the owner breaking the seal and starting repair work in the unsafe building, setting stage for the collapse

More than 100 labourers were present in their quarters when the adjoining building, which was in a dilapidated condition after last year’s fire, collapsed

The management of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School in Shastri Nagar has decided to discontinue the physical classes for primary sections; however, teaching in online mode will continue

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