Latest news with #GreaterLudhianaAreaDevelopmentAuthority
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Police, Glada demolish woman drug peddler's house
Times News Network Ludhiana: Police and officials of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) demolished the house of a woman drug peddler from Malakpur village. The woman is currently lodged in jail. According to the police, she grabbed the land fraudulently and constructed a house on it illegally. The woman, Amarjeet Kaur, has six FIRs of drug peddling and liquor smuggling lodged against her. She was convicted in three cases, including one case of drug peddling and two cases of liquor smuggling. She was acquitted in one case. Deputy commissioner of police (DCP-investigation) Harpal Singh said that Amarjeet Kaur, fraudulently grabbed land which belonged to Paramjit Sharma of Haibowal. She paid Rs 50,000 advance to Sharma, while Rs 1.50 lakh was yet to be paid. However, she allegedly took possession of the land forcibly and constructed a house on 50 square yards. Sharma has moved several complaints to the police and Glada in this regard. The DCP said that the illegally constructed house was demolished on Friday. MSID:: 122907488 413 |
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Not just land, we are fighting for our identity, livelihood'
The resistance against Punjab government's contentious land pooling policy, under which it plans to acquire over 50,000 acres of fertile agricultural land, is gaining momentum as villagers across the state have planned a long battle forward. While a day-night pakka dharna outside the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) office began Sunday, SKM Punjab leaders are also holding village-level meetings to coordinate protest strategies. The protest outside GLADA office is spearheaded by the Zameen Bachao Sangharsh Committee and is drawing daily participation from residents of two different villages. 'Though the Punjab government has announced various amendments to the scheme on Monday and passed them in the cabinet on Tuesday, we are not fools. Where is the government going to get so much money to give monthly compensation to farmers?' asked Kanwaljeet Singh Khanna, a Jagraon-based member of BKU Dakaunda. Farmers and activists argue that no amount of allurement — be it revised lease amounts or claims of voluntary participation — can overshadow the anger brewing in rural Punjab. 'Resistance is building every day. Villagers are holding mobilisation meetings, and on July 30, a massive tractor march across the state will show the government the real feedback on this so-called 'beneficial' scheme,' said Balwinder Singh Kanwar, convenor of Lok Adhikar Lehar, whose farmland in Ballowal village falls under the policy. He said that like the three farm laws, they will make the government roll this back too. 'Who in their right mind carries out such large-scale land acquisition in one go — and that too when only 1.5 years of your term is left,' he said, adding that the entire policy is tainted. Villagers have also accused the government of duplicity, questioning why the sale and purchase registration of land has been stopped in villages falling under the scheme if it is truly voluntary as they say. 'About 44 villages in Ludhiana have already joined the dharna outside GLADA. Every day, two villages join us at the protest site, and it will continue until the policy is rolled back,' said Jagrup Singh, a resident of Hassanpur village. SKM Punjab leaders have also held meetings in Dakha and Lalton Kalan to garner support. 'If the scheme was genuinely good, why did the government need to change it and add more benefits?' asked Didar Singh Malak from Malak village. Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh, a retired Deputy Director from the Punjab Health Department, pointed at fundamental questions around the rationale behind the policy. 'Does Punjab really need more urbanisation when it's already at 43%, above the national average of 31%?' he asked, adding, 'Has there been any expert study on this urban push? What is the policy on large tracts of land already designated non-agricultural? And when villages are displaced, what's the plan for those non-farming rural professions that are also uprooted?' He also questioned the changing compensation figures. 'It started at Rs 30,000 per acre annually, then rose to Rs 50,000, and now Rs 1 lakh. If development is expected to be swift, why commit to long-term rent? Even the government seems unsure of the timeline,' he said. Farmer Didar Singh asked when will they get the promised developed land. 'Our agricultural land is giving us annual income. How will they substitute that?' he asked. Farmers said that in several villages of Ludhiana the per acre rate is between Rs 4 and Rs 5 crore. 'The government will not match the amount. The resale of that residential and commercial land will also be another challenge for us,' said another farmer. Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU Ugrahan also asked, 'The Punjab government is already under debt. From where will it get the money to pay rentals for thousands of acres? Who are they trying to fool?' With nearly 164 villages affected by the land pooling policy, farmers say that the fight is not just about land but is also about their identity, livelihoods, and trust. The battle lines are drawn and the July 30 tractor march will show the government the real face of rural Punjab, Kokrikalan added.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ludhiana Municipal Corporation to launch 100 electric vehicle charging stations for sustainable urban transport
In a major step towards sustainable urban transport , the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) plans to establish 100 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city. With over 60,000 EVs already on the roads, the move aims at addressing the growing demand for accessible charging infrastructure. Under the project, which is to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, a private firm will be hired to install and operate the charging stations, while the MC will provide land for the installations. In return, the firm will share a fixed portion of its revenue with the civic body. Before installation begins, the selected company will conduct a survey of major roads to identify suitable locations for the stations. A detailed list will be compiled to determine whether the land falls under the jurisdiction of the MC or whether it belongs to other departments. For locations outside city limits, land under Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) will be considered. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal confirmed the development, stating, "We will soon float the Request for Proposal (RFP) to initiate the project. Having more EVs on the road will reduce pollution, making this a timely and necessary move." The initiative comes at a time when rising fuel prices are pushing residents toward electric mobility . The popularity of electric two-wheelers and e-rickshaws is surging, and the city is also set to receive electric buses under the central government's PM E-Bus Sewa scheme . These developments further highlight the need for a robust charging network. Currently, Ludhiana lacks sufficient mid-route charging options, which has been a concern for EV users. The proposed stations will not only support existing vehicles but also encourage more residents to make the switch to cleaner transport. Once approved by the Finance and Contracts Committee, the RFP will be floated, and the groundwork for Ludhiana's green mobility future will begin.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DC directs GLADA to survey new sites for carcass plant
In a fresh development over the shifting of carcass utilisation plant in Ludhiana, deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain has directed the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) to conduct a detailed survey of two alternate sites under its jurisdiction and submit a feasibility report at the earliest. The deputy commissioner instructed GLADA to survey two newly identified land parcels and submit a report outlining their technical and environmental viability. (HT Photo) The move comes after a joint inspection committee raised red flags over the earlier proposed location at Garhi Fazal village, citing strong opposition from locals, potential environmental hazards, and the risk of law and order issues. The committee, comprising officials from the municipal corporation, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), GLADA, forest department, and the local revenue staff, was constituted in April and had carried out a site visit on April 17. According to the last report, residents of Garhi Fazal and neighbouring Garhi Seru have unanimously rejected the proposal and submitted formal resolutions through their respective gram panchayats. The villagers raised concerns over pollution, foul odours, and the movement of carcass transport vehicles through narrow village roads, warning that it could spark unrest among local farmers and residents. The committee noted that the access road to the 16-acre site was just 27 feet wide and unpaved, making it unsuitable for heavy vehicular traffic. Furthermore, the PPCB reiterated that a carcass plant falls under the 'red category' of industries as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which mandates it be located far from residential zones. Additionally, the land was earlier marked for compensatory afforestation following a directive from the Punjab chief secretary in 2024. Changing its use now would require multiple government approvals, further delaying the project. In light of these issues, the deputy commissioner instructed GLADA to survey two newly identified land parcels and submit a report outlining their technical and environmental viability, accessibility, and alignment with the Ludhiana Master Plan. Meanwhile, residents of Garhi Fazal continue to voice their concerns. 'We will not allow a plant that risks our health and environment. Our stand is clear,' said Gurjant Singh, a local resident. The carcass plant, earlier located in Sidhwan Bet and later shifted to Tajpur Road, has remained closed for over a year following public protests.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
Another ‘drug trafficker' finds home razed to dust
L udhiana: The house of yet another suspected drug trafficker was bulldozed into the ground Friday. Police have identified him as Amrik Singh Rinku, a resident of ward 2 in Malaud. The demolition was carried out by Khanna police along with Malaud Nagar panchayat, as part of govt's 'Yudh Nashya Viruddh' campaign According to an official statement, the house was illegally constructed without approval from the Malaud Nagar panchayat. "In doing so, he violated the Municipal Act. Four notices were issued to him earlier for the demolition of the illegal structure, and the exercise was carried out today with police assistance," Harnarinder Singh, executive officer of the panchayat, said. "Amrik Singh Rinku faces three NDPS cases and was released from jail just two days ago." Tejvir Singh Hundal, SP (HQ), said, adding that the govt has adopted a zero-tolerance to drug trafficking . Stating that the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led govt is fully committed to saving Punjab's youth, Hundal urged the public to report drug-related activities to their nearest police station. DSPs Payal Hemant Malhotra, Karmvir Toor, and other officials from the civil and police administration were also present with him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Зачем на ночь сжигают лавровый лист? Undo It must be recalled that on May 1, Khanna police along with the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada), pulled down the houses of three drug traffickers in Dhamot Kalan village of Payal. Police said one of them was Sarbjit Kaur, whose notoriety made her known as the 'Thar Girl'. She used to supply drugs in the vehicle as far as Mohali.
