News / Author / Harsimran Singh Batra

Harsimran Singh Batra

Articles by Harsimran Singh Batra

Ludhiana: Industry’s thumbs down to AAP govt’s debut budget in Punjab

Slamming the state government over its failure to resolve long-pending issues and announcing no major benefits, the industry gave a thumbs down to the first budget announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state on Monday

A shopkeeper watching the budget session in Ludhiana on Monday. (Gurpreet SIngh/HT)

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Published on Jun 27, 2022 10:50 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

7th anniversary of Smart City Mission in Ludhiana: Multiple major projects marred by delays, controversies

Even as the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Smart City Mission on Saturday (June 25), multiple major projects which have been taken up under it have been marred by delays and controversies

Vehicles parked on the cycling track established at Malhar Road in Ludhiana under the Smart City Mission. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Jun 26, 2022 11:05 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Industry up in arms over government’s decision to ban single-use plastic from July 1

Plastic manufacturers and traders in Ludhiana have objected to the government’s decision to impose a complete ban on single-use plastic items from July 1

The state had banned plastic carry bags in April 2016, but they are still being used in every nook and corner of the city. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Jun 25, 2022 10:58 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Sports park coming up at Haibowal Dairy Complex hangs in balance as PEDA demands reallocation of land

The fate of the sports park/playground which is currently being constructed on the Haibowal dairy complex is hanging in balance as the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has sought that the entire 2.30 acres of land be reallocated for extension of the bio-gas plant which has been established to process cow dung generated in the dairy units which would otherwise be dumped in the Buddha Nullah

The work on the sports park at the Haibowal Dairy Complex started last year and was to come up at a cost of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>49 lakh. Around 90% of the work has been completed. (HT Photo)

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Published on Jun 24, 2022 12:57 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Illegal commercial constructions in posh residential areas go unchecked

The illegal constructions coming up at posh residential areas in Ludhiana are leading to traffic snarls and parking woes for residents; MC continues to turn a blind eye

An illegal commercial construction coming up in Model Town of Ludhiana on Sunday. (HT Photo)

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Published on Jun 19, 2022 11:36 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | 2 days after fire mishap, 8-decade-old building in Purana Bazar declared unsafe

A major fire had broken out at a hosiery unit in the building in Ludhiana, reportedly constructed in 1935, on Monday morning. The building had developed several cracks after the mishap, and the roof, which was made of wood, had also collapsed.

MC declared unsafe building after fire incident in Ludhiana. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Jun 16, 2022 11:42 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana mayor blames govt for delay in release of salaries to MC staffers

Ludhiana mayor Balkar Sandhu has blamed the Punjab government for delay in payment of salaries to employees of the municipal corporation (MC) as the state has failed to release over ₹100 crore as GST share to the civic body

Ludhiana mayor said that the state government was supposed to transfer <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>154 crore to the MC as GST share for the last three months, but only <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>51 crore has been transferred so far. (HT)

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Published on Jun 16, 2022 12:31 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Monsoon preparedness: Choked internal drains in Old City areas blows lid off tall claims

Former councillor Parminder Mehta also submitted a complaint with the arthritis in the recent past stating that cleaning the road gullies or sewer lines won’t be of any use if the Talab Bazar drain is not cleaned properly as no proper flow of water into the drain will certainly result in water logging during the monsoon season in Ludhiana

Choked internal drain in Old City areas in Ludhiana. Mayor Balkar Sandhu had earlier also directed the officials to clean the internal drain lines before monsoon hits the city. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Jun 14, 2022 11:45 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

21 hospitals found defaulting on property tax in Ludhiana; penalised

The hospitals, which had been evading property tax since 2013-14, cumulatively owe the civic body ₹81 lakh, which includes the unpaid tax and a 100% penalty on the amount.

Cracking down on property tax defaulters, municipal corporation officials penalised 21 hospitals (Representative Image/HT File)

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Updated on Jun 12, 2022 03:12 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Lack of hydraulic ladder keeps firefighting operations in Ludhiana grounded

A network of waterpipes had to be laid to reach the burning fifth floor of the building, which is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Despite fire incidents being reported at high rise buildings, the proposal to purchase hydraulic ladders has been hanging fire since 2008.

Ludhiana In the absence of hydraulic ladders, firefighters were seen struggling to douse the blaze that broke out at the Swami Vivekanand Vihar Flats in BRS Nagar on Thursday afternoon. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Jun 11, 2022 12:26 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

In absence of fire audits, premises in Ludhiana remain powder kegs waiting to go off

With a fire audit long overdue, stakeholders are often negligent when it comes to implementing safety protocols, which puts lives and material possessions at risk.

The major fire that broke out at Swami Vivekanand Vihar Flats near DAV School, BRS Nagar, has yet again cast the spotlight on the vulnerability of residential and commercial premises across the industrial hub. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Jun 11, 2022 12:21 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC working on proposal to install air purification tower

Amid soaring pollution levels in the industrial hub of the state, the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) is working on a proposal to install an air purification tower in the city

The company, which has also installed an air purification tower in Chandigarh, delivered a presentation to Ludhiana MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal at the civic body’s Zone-D office on Thursday. (HT File)

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Published on Jun 10, 2022 01:08 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Moose Wala’s fans in Ludhiana line up outside tattoo parlours to get inked

The singer had prophetically said in one of his songs “Goli Vajji te tu sochi na main muk jaunga, ni mere yaaran di bahan te mere tattoo ban-ne”

Many of the youngsters who are turning up to get tattoos of the singer said that Moose Wala inspired them through his songs, as he used to highlight the reality of the issues being faced by Punjab’s youth . (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Jun 08, 2022 03:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Delimitation of wards in Ludhiana | Opposition accuses AAP govt of sabotage

In the letter received by Ludhiana MC dated June 1, director of local bodies department has directed officials to complete the survey and other necessary formalities for delimitation of wards within a week; AAP MLA (Ludhiana east) Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal refuted the allegations levelled by opposition

Similarly, BJP councillor Sunita Rani from Ludhiana said that delimitation of wards was earlier done every 10 years and now AAP is wasting money and time by doing it again after just five years. (HT FILE)

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Published on Jun 06, 2022 11:14 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Proper cycling tracks in Ludhiana remain a distant dream amid safety concerns among pedallers

Even as the administration encouraged residents to adopt it as an activity on the occasion of World Bicycle Day on Friday, most Ludhiana residents are afraid to cycle on the city’s congested internal roads amid safety concerns

Vehicles parked on the cycling track at Malhar Road in Ludhiana on Friday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on Jun 03, 2022 11:02 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Proposals for installation of e-vehicle charging stations in Ludhiana hang fire

Even amid rising pollution levels in the industrial hub of Punjab, various proposals prepared by the municipal corporation (MC) and Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) for setting up of electric vehicle charging stations in the city are yet to bear fruit

MC and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) had last year shortlisted 30 sites in the industrial hub and a proposal was prepared for installation of charging stations for two and three-wheelers only and forwarded to the department. But, the government is yet to respond. (Representative image)

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Published on Jun 03, 2022 12:06 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana fire dept tightens noose on coaching centres operating sans NOC

Facing flak over failure to ensure adherence to fire safety norms, the fire brigade has finally started serving inspection notices to coaching institutes in Ludhiana operating without no-objection certificates (NOC)

Fire department officials serving an inspection notice at a coaching institute in Tuition Market, Model Town Extension, Ludhiana, on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

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Updated on Jun 02, 2022 02:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | AAP and opposition at loggerheads over inauguration of projects

AAP MLA Bagga along with mayor Balkar Sandhu and municipal corporation (MC) commissioner Shena Aggarwal went for inauguration of a project to install ‘rising main line’ (interceptor sewer line) from Haibowal bridge over the nullah to Kundanpuri area at the cost of around ₹5-crore

AAP MLA with MC officials during inauguration of project to install sewer lines alongside Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana. (HT PHOTO)

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Published on May 30, 2022 11:38 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana MC yet to initiate action against 113 unsafe buildings in city

In a 2019 survey, Ludhiana MC had found 113 unsafe buildings in the city, but has taken no action other than issuing notices

Most of the buildings which were found unsafe in a 2019 survey conducted by Ludhiana MC are vacant and some have shops on the ground floor. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Updated on May 30, 2022 12:36 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

SKM alleges SSM delaying transfer of funds collected during farmers’ agitation

The SKM leaders said that those funds were meant for providing compensation to the kin of the farmers who died during the agitation and provide financial assistance to the farmers’ unions

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Published on May 29, 2022 01:07 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Waterlogging haunts transporters in Ludhiana

Compounding the issue, the drain passing through Transport Nagar is blocked due to ongoing construction work to cover the Shivaji Nagar Nullah.

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Updated on May 26, 2022 02:22 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Demolition drive at Sidhwan Canal Waterfront: Ludhiana MC, forest dept caught in blame game over damage to public property

As per the Ludhiana MC officials, the action taken by forest department on April 6 damaged public property worth around ₹25 lakh at Sidhwan Canal Waterfront

Damaged concrete structures around trees at Sidhwan Canal Waterfront in Sarabha Nagar in Ludhiana. An inquiry was marked to MC additional commissioner Aaditya Dachawal over the issue, which is still going on. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Published on May 17, 2022 11:10 PM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

SKM warns of indefinite protest against Punjab govt from May 17

SKM lambasted the Punjab government for failing to fulfil the promises made with farmer unions, including bonus on wheat, uninterrupted power supply and MSP on basmati among others

The decision was taken during a meeting of over 20 farmer unions held in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar in Ludhiana on Saturday. (HT File Photo)

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Published on May 01, 2022 02:05 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Industrial hub reels under unscheduled power cuts

With power randomly disrupted for three to four hours everyday, industrialists’ production cycle has been disturbed, causing them loses in crores everyday.

Unscheduled power cuts, and confusion over power restrictions imposed on the industry are taking a toll on businesses in the industrial hub. (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on May 01, 2022 01:59 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

₹1,000 pension for women: AAP MLA accuses dy mayor of organising ‘fake camp’ in Ludhiana

Chhina alleged that the son and other relatives of the deputy mayor had charged ₹250- ₹500 from women to open the bank account in a camp organised near Jeeto Market in Main Satguru Nagar area

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ludhiana South Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina accused deputy mayor Sarvjit Kaur Shimlapuri and her husband Jarnail Singh Shimlapuri of organising fake camps for opening bank accounts to avail a pension of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,000 per month for women as announced by the party before the assembly elections. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Apr 28, 2022 02:03 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Tenders for ₹300-crore railway station project likely to be floated in May

The British-era railway station on Ludhiana has not undergone any significant renovation since it was established in the 1860s.

Under the ambitious project, a second floor will also be built at the station, and the U-shaped approach road leading from elevated road will be attached to it (Representative Image/HT File)

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Published on Apr 27, 2022 02:01 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana | Sweets, cheese to get dearer as milk rates to go up for bulk buyers

Punjab Halwai Association members stated that the inputs costs for sweets have already increased due to the skyrocketing rates of refined ghee, dry fruits etc, and the hike in milk prices will further deepen the crisis for this sector.

As per the announcement by dairy owners, bulk buyers such as sweet meat shops will have to shell out <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>7 extra for a litre of milk from May 1 . (Harvinder Singh/HT)

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Published on Apr 26, 2022 01:44 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Only 4,081 property owners in Ludhiana have taken fire NOC since 2019

While there are approximately 4.3 lakh properties in the city, of which around 1 lakh are industrial and commercial properties, only 4,081 property owners have received an NOC from the Ludhiana fire department between January 2019 and April 7, 2022

Only 4,081 of the estimated 4.3 lakh eligible property owners in Ludhiana have availed fire NOC since 2019. (HT File)

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Updated on Apr 24, 2022 01:36 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Ludhiana shanty fire: NGT issues notice to Punjab chief secretary

The NGT has directed the monitoring committee to furnish a factual report within 15 days about the shanty fire accident in Ludhiana

The NGT issued notice to the Punjab chief secretary in Ludhiana shanty fire incident; asks why state be not held accountable. (HT)

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Updated on Apr 23, 2022 01:29 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

Migrant couple, five kids burnt alive in Ludhiana shanty fire

Of the five kids burnt alive along with a migrant couple in the Ludhiana shanty fire, one was just aged 2, say police. The incident occurred when the family members were deep asleep in their hut located close to the main garbage dump of the municipal corporation

The cops are yet to ascertain cause behind the Ludhiana shanty fire in which a migrant couple and their five kids were burnt alive. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

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Updated on Apr 21, 2022 01:40 AM IST

ByHarsimran Singh Batra, Ludhiana

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Harsimran Singh Batra

Slamming the state government over its failure to resolve long-pending issues and announcing no major benefits, the industry gave a thumbs down to the first budget announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state on Monday

Even as the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Smart City Mission on Saturday (June 25), multiple major projects which have been taken up under it have been marred by delays and controversies

Plastic manufacturers and traders in Ludhiana have objected to the government’s decision to impose a complete ban on single-use plastic items from July 1

The illegal constructions coming up at posh residential areas in Ludhiana are leading to traffic snarls and parking woes for residents; MC continues to turn a blind eye

A major fire had broken out at a hosiery unit in the building in Ludhiana, reportedly constructed in 1935, on Monday morning. The building had developed several cracks after the mishap, and the roof, which was made of wood, had also collapsed.

Ludhiana mayor Balkar Sandhu has blamed the Punjab government for delay in payment of salaries to employees of the municipal corporation (MC) as the state has failed to release over ₹100 crore as GST share to the civic body

The hospitals, which had been evading property tax since 2013-14, cumulatively owe the civic body ₹81 lakh, which includes the unpaid tax and a 100% penalty on the amount.

A network of waterpipes had to be laid to reach the burning fifth floor of the building, which is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Despite fire incidents being reported at high rise buildings, the proposal to purchase hydraulic ladders has been hanging fire since 2008.

With a fire audit long overdue, stakeholders are often negligent when it comes to implementing safety protocols, which puts lives and material possessions at risk.

Amid soaring pollution levels in the industrial hub of the state, the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) is working on a proposal to install an air purification tower in the city

The singer had prophetically said in one of his songs “Goli Vajji te tu sochi na main muk jaunga, ni mere yaaran di bahan te mere tattoo ban-ne”

Even as the administration encouraged residents to adopt it as an activity on the occasion of World Bicycle Day on Friday, most Ludhiana residents are afraid to cycle on the city’s congested internal roads amid safety concerns

Even amid rising pollution levels in the industrial hub of Punjab, various proposals prepared by the municipal corporation (MC) and Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) for setting up of electric vehicle charging stations in the city are yet to bear fruit

Facing flak over failure to ensure adherence to fire safety norms, the fire brigade has finally started serving inspection notices to coaching institutes in Ludhiana operating without no-objection certificates (NOC)

AAP MLA Bagga along with mayor Balkar Sandhu and municipal corporation (MC) commissioner Shena Aggarwal went for inauguration of a project to install ‘rising main line’ (interceptor sewer line) from Haibowal bridge over the nullah to Kundanpuri area at the cost of around ₹5-crore

In a 2019 survey, Ludhiana MC had found 113 unsafe buildings in the city, but has taken no action other than issuing notices

The SKM leaders said that those funds were meant for providing compensation to the kin of the farmers who died during the agitation and provide financial assistance to the farmers’ unions

Compounding the issue, the drain passing through Transport Nagar is blocked due to ongoing construction work to cover the Shivaji Nagar Nullah.

As per the Ludhiana MC officials, the action taken by forest department on April 6 damaged public property worth around ₹25 lakh at Sidhwan Canal Waterfront

SKM lambasted the Punjab government for failing to fulfil the promises made with farmer unions, including bonus on wheat, uninterrupted power supply and MSP on basmati among others

With power randomly disrupted for three to four hours everyday, industrialists’ production cycle has been disturbed, causing them loses in crores everyday.

Chhina alleged that the son and other relatives of the deputy mayor had charged ₹250- ₹500 from women to open the bank account in a camp organised near Jeeto Market in Main Satguru Nagar area

The British-era railway station on Ludhiana has not undergone any significant renovation since it was established in the 1860s.

Punjab Halwai Association members stated that the inputs costs for sweets have already increased due to the skyrocketing rates of refined ghee, dry fruits etc, and the hike in milk prices will further deepen the crisis for this sector.

While there are approximately 4.3 lakh properties in the city, of which around 1 lakh are industrial and commercial properties, only 4,081 property owners have received an NOC from the Ludhiana fire department between January 2019 and April 7, 2022

The NGT has directed the monitoring committee to furnish a factual report within 15 days about the shanty fire accident in Ludhiana

Of the five kids burnt alive along with a migrant couple in the Ludhiana shanty fire, one was just aged 2, say police. The incident occurred when the family members were deep asleep in their hut located close to the main garbage dump of the municipal corporation

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