Ludhiana: CM's visit cancelled, opening of Chand Cinema bridge postponed
The inauguration of the Chand Cinema bridge was postponed as chief minister Bhagwant Mann's Ludhiana visit was cancelled on Tuesday. Ludhiana North MLA Madan Lal Bagga, who had announced the inauguration date on his social media platforms, expressed hope that the bridge would be opened to the public by Wednesday afternoon. He emphasised the bridge's readiness and the relief it would bring to daily commuters after being opened for vehicular traffic.
Preparations for the inauguration were made with seating arrangements, air conditioning units and a stage set up at the site. The event was called off following the chief minister's decision to visit Majitha where consumption of spurious liquor resulted in a few deaths. Additionally, CM Mann was scheduled to meet patients at DMC Hospital who were injured in a recent drone attack by Pakistan and to inaugurate a new structure at Ambedkar Bhawan on the Jalandhar bypass.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties criticised the delay, alleging that the government was prioritising ceremonial events over public convenience. BJP district president Rajesh Dhiman stated, 'If the bridge is ready, it should be opened for public use without waiting for formal inaugurations.'
The Chand Cinema bridge, originally constructed during the British era, was declared unsafe in 2011 and closed to traffic in 2018. Reconstruction efforts began in December 2023 under the Ludhiana Smart City Mission, with an estimated cost of ₹8.25 crore and a nine-month completion timeline. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Since 1960, poll rolls being shared with parties: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
NEW DELHI: In a first but indirect rejoinder to Rahul Gandhi's allegations of enrolment of fake voters for Maharashtra polls, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar underscored the statutory sharing of electoral rolls with all recognised political parties year after year since 1960, with a provision for them to make claims, objections and appeals. Delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on Electoral Integrity (IDEA) in Stockholm on Tuesday, Kumar described the annual roll revision exercise in India as "the world's most rigorous and transparent", adding that it reinforced the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process. He noted that "this robust mechanism plays a vital role in upholding electoral credibility across the country, year after year". Rahul recently reiterated his charge that BJP owed its landslide win in Maharashtra last year to an unusual surge in number of voters after Lok Sabha polls. Officials in Election Commission, speaking anonymously, had dismissed the charge, saying addition of votes in Maharashtra was less than the increase in number of voters for Telangana and Jharkhand polls which were won by Congress and its allies. Congress kept up its protest, while also emphasising that EC officials had not spoken "on record". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Apprising the participants - representing election management bodies (EMBs) of around 50 countries - about the massive scale of Indian elections conducted under the watch of political parties, candidates, observers and the media, the CEC said the poll panel, with over 20 million personnel, including polling staff, police forces and observers, "becomes the world's largest organisation, surpassing the combined workforce of several national govts and major global corporations and ensures that India's nearly one billion electors are freely able to exercise their franchise". Kumar traced the evolution of Indian elections over the decades, noting how the system has adapted to increasing complexity while staying rooted in constitutional values. "From 173 million electors in 1951-52 to 979 million in 2024, and from just 0.2 million polling stations in the early years to over 1.05 million today, India's electoral journey has demonstrated both institutional foresight and unmatched scale," he said. Kumar added that 743 political parties and 20,271 candidates contested elections across the country using 6.2 million EVMs. Reflecting on the inclusive design of Indian elections, Kumar said the electoral process serves first-time voters, senior citizens aged 85+, persons with special abilities, third-gender electors, and voters in the most inaccessible regions with equal care and commitment. From polling booths with a single elector to highest altitude stations like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh, India's commitment to leaving no voter behind is reiterated as a constitutional principle rather than a logistical challenge, he said.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Protest heat rises in poll-bound Ludhiana
Bathinda: With the Ludhiana West byelection looming, the city is now on the radar of protesters of various hues — a pattern observed in previous poll-bound areas like Bathinda during the SAD-BJP tenure and Patiala-Chamkaur Sahib under the Congress govt. While some employee and unemployed unions are already holding agitations, the family of a deceased village sarpanch and members of various organisations are set to descend on Ludhiana on Thursday for a candle march. Their target: Guru Harsahai MLA Fauja Singh Sarari and his personal assistant, Bachittar Singh, demanding immediate action against them for alleged abetment to suicide. The protesters plan to converge near Gate Number 1 of Punjab Agriculture University, a stone's throw from the AAP election office for the Ludhiana West byelection. They intend to hold a protest march. Jashan Bawa, 24, the sarpanch of Trinda village and an AAP member, died by suicide on May 31. His family alleges that Bawa was driven to the extreme step due to continuous harassment by MLA Sarari and his personal assistant. On June 9, villagers and various organisations staged a protest at Lakho Ke Behram police station, disrupting the Ferozepur-Fazilka highway to demand justice. Ferozepur police have formed a special investigations team (SIT), comprising two SP-level officers and one DSP, to investigate the matter and determine the MLA's alleged role in the incident. MLA Sarari has denied the allegations, attributing them to a smear campaign by certain individuals, including members of his own party. Meanwhile, a separate wave of protests is set to hit Ludhiana on June 16, organised by the Narinderdeep death action committee. They are demanding a judicial inquiry into the alleged custodial death of 34-year-old IELTS teacher Narinderdeep, who died in Bathinda on May 23. The committee is also demanding the nomination of the CIA-2 in-charge in the case, the arrest of implicated police officers, a government job for a bereaved family member, and compensation. MSID:: 121782120 413 |
Economic Times
39 minutes ago
- Economic Times
US Army 250th Anniversary Parade: President Donald Trump's 79th birthday Celebration Cost, Parade Route, Timing, Tickets, How to watch Livestream, Military Preparations, No Kings Protests and Women's March
Why Was June 14 Chosen? Celebration Cost Parade Route and Timing Live Events Military Preparations Tickets and How to Watch Livestream Event Schedule and Locations No Kings Protests and Women's March FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The US Army will hold a public festival and parade in Washington, DC, on June 14 to commemorate its 250th anniversary. The day also falls on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The parade and events will take place on the National Mall and surrounding areas. Army officials say this is part of a broader plan to honor the Army's event is scheduled on June 14 because it marks the founding of the Continental Army. On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Army to fight British forces. Congress appointed George Washington as commander in chief the following began nearly two years ago, but the parade was added earlier this year. Officials estimate the total cost of the event to be between $25 million and $45 million. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told Congress that the event is meant to tell the Army's story and improve festival will run from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the National Mall. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m., moving from 23rd Street NW to 15th Street NW along Constitution Avenue. The route ends around 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:45 Army has placed metal plates along the parade route to protect roads from damage by heavy equipment like Abrams tanks. The tanks are fitted with rubber track pads to reduce impact. If damage occurs, the Army will pay for event will include about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft. Historical and modern Army units will march in uniform. Equipment includes Abrams tanks, Bradley vehicles, helicopters and World War-era tanks and parade and festival are free to attend. People can RSVP through Livestream coverage will be available on US Army social media platforms for those who cannot attend in day will also include a wreath-laying at Arlington Cemetery, an enlistment ceremony led by Donald Trump, a parachute jump by the Golden Knights, a concert, and equipment are being organized across the US to oppose what some groups see as a political use of the event. Organizers plan 1,800 rallies nationwide. The 'No Kings' campaign and Women's March will be part of these actions. Officials expect hundreds of thousands at these 14 is the date the Continental Army was created in 1775. Congress formed it after fighting began at Lexington and officials estimate the event will cost between $25 million and $45 million, but they haven't shared exact figures for the parade portion.
