Latest news with #LudhianaSmartCityMission
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ludhiana's carcass plant faces uncertain future amid protests, legal hurdles
Ludhiana: Ever since its inception in July 2021, authorities have been making vain attempts to get the carcass disposal plant at Noorpur Bet functional again. However, the plant may soon be one of the futile projects which have earned the dubious title of "white elephants. " Despite its objective of scientific disposal of dead animals, the plant, which was constructed under the Ludhiana Smart City Mission, met with strong resistance from local villagers from day one. Authorities have considered relocating the plant, but chances of finding an alternative site are slim. Officials approached panchayats in 27 villages around Ludhiana—including Bullepur, Rattanheri, Rajewal, Dahru, Khatlia, Laddowal, Allowal, Gill Phallewal, Dhamot Kalan, Lasara Lakhowal, Rara Sahib, Garhi Fazal, Salempur, Garhi Sheru, Haider Nagar, and Pangalian. Everywhere, they encountered strong opposition from locals. Many villages even passed formal resolutions opposing the plant's relocation to their areas. Garhi Fazal and Garhi Sheru were considered promising options, but protests there also derailed the plans. As pressure from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mounted, the plant was operated briefly for one week last year during the MP elections. Soon after though, villagers resumed their protests, forcing its closure. Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the agitation and locked the gate of the plant, prompting the MC to file an FIR against him. In a petition, which is pending before the NGT, environmental activist Col J S Gill has challenged the non-functional status of the carcass plant and flagged illegal hada rodi (animal carcass dumping) along the banks of the Satluj River. Gill said that the NGT summoned representatives from the ministry of environment and forests for the past two hearings, but no one had appeared so far. The tribunal has now reiterated its directive for ministry officials to attend the next hearing. Gill believes that only strong political will from the state government can resolve the impasse. "Force may be the only way to make the plant functional now," he said, suggesting that administrative persuasion has failed and legal pressure alone may not suffice. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal confirmed that no final decision had been made about relocation or reactivation of the plant. "The matter is pending at the state government level," he said, indicating that the MC has limited authority to act independently. During the tenure of the Congress government, the plant was built with the intention of enhancing Ludhiana's waste management capabilities. However, the lack of community engagement and failure to address local concerns have turned the project into a symbol of administrative disconnect. As the legal battle continues and villagers remain firm in their opposition, the future of the Noorpur Bet carcass plant hangs in the balance. Without a breakthrough in negotiations or a decisive intervention from the state government, the plant risks becoming a permanent non-starter. Stalled By Protests Carcass plant at Noorpur Bet, built under the Smart City Mission in July 2021, remains non-functional due to persistent villager protests Attempts to relocate the plant failed as 27 villages opposed the move, passing formal resolutions against it The plant was briefly operational for one week during MP elections, but protests resumed, leading to its closure Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the protest; an FIR was filed against him by the MC NGT petition filed by Col J S Gill highlights illegal carcass dumping and seeks ministry intervention NGT summoned ministry of environment officials twice; they failed to appear MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal stated the matter is pending at the state government level The project risks becoming a "white elephant" due to lack of community engagement and administrative resolution Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
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.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Compactors nearly installed, but waste segregation remains a challenge for MC
Ludhiana: The installation of static compactors at select locations is nearly complete, but 100% waste segregation remains a challenge for the civic body. This renders the compactors useless as waste needs to be segregated before being sent to the processing sites. The problem stems from the fact that the number of secondary garbage collection points has decreased from 50 to 22. The secondary garbage collection points are locations where waste collected from smaller, localised areas (primary collection) is transferred to larger vehicles or transfer stations, ultimately leading to the final disposal or treatment. They act as a link between the initial waste collection and the final destination. The secondary centres are primarily responsible for the segregation of waste as well. In June 2022, the technical committee of Ludhiana Smart City Mission approved a proposal to purchase compactors for 22 secondary garbage collection points. It took some time to get the clearance for the detailed project report, delaying the installation of the machinery. Cut to 2025, the installation of only one compactor, at the Books market, is pending due to technical reasons. Before compactors were installed, there were more than 50 secondary garbage collection points in the city. Garbage remained littered everywhere, and in some places, it would cover half the road. Gradually, the number of garbage sites has decreased. Two sites from the national highway are also being relocated to places where compactors are installed. One site has been shifted from Lajpat Nagar near Pakhowal Road. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Le Bitcoin Franchit la Barre des 90 000$ ! Explorer les Causes de la Hausse des Prix eToro Market Updates Learn More Undo However, some leaders have objected to the closure of the garbage collection sites haphazardly as they fear it will lead to dumping of waste inside the colonies. They argue that this will also make it difficult for the garbage collectors to take the garbage to far-off places. Making matters worse, after garbage started being sent to the processing sites, a private firm responsible for waste collection withdrew from the job. This is because the company that installed the compactors was given the responsibility of transporting the garbage to the main dumping site at Jamalpur. Civic officials claimed that at some locations, garbage collectors are opposed to the shifting of dumping sites and the segregation of waste. The civic body is trying to convince them to segregate the waste before bringing them to the compactors. On Friday, an issue arose in zone C where garbage collectors were called for a meeting by MC officials in the presence of MLA Kulwant Sidhu and deputy mayor Prince Johar. They urged the garbage collectors to focus on source segregation to ensure proper waste collection, to which the garbage collectors are said to have given their consent. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal admitted that 100% source segregation has not been achieved, but that they were working towards it. He said the installation of the compactors is near completion, except for a few sites.
