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Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mohali: Purab Premium auction turns into another flop show as only 10 of 227 flats gets sold
In another setback for the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), the third e-auction of the high-profile Purab Premium Apartments in Sector 88 failed to generate the expected response. Out of 227 flats on offer, only 10 units were sold, bringing in a modest Rs 11.45 crore in revenue. According to official records, the highest bid came from Joshnoor Singh Brar, who secured a Type 3 flat (3BHK with servant room) for Rs 1,28,79,969.75 (Rs 1.28 crore), making it the costliest sale in this round. The only Type 2 (2BHK) flat was purchased by Parkash Singh for Rs 90,33,501.29 (Rs 90. 33 lakh). Among the remaining successful bidders were Nitin Jain, Harish Kumar, Navdeep Kumar Garg, and Amandeep Singh, all of whom acquired Type 3 flats with per-unit bid values ranging from Rs 39,248.28 to 44,250.42. This was the GMADA's third attempt to sell the project's units through e-auction. A similar exercise in September 2023 offered 550 flats, but attracted only 313 applications, leading to a failed outcome. In the current round, the GMADA listed flats under three categories: Type 1 (1BHK), Type 2 (2BHK with servant room), and Type 3 (3BHK with servant room) priced between Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1.12 crore. Eligibility deposits were set at Rs 5 lakh for Type 1 and Type 2, and Rs 7.5 lakh for Type 3. Successful bidders are required to pay 10 per cent of the bid upfront, followed by 25 per cent before possession, according to the GMADA guidelines. Despite repeated efforts and heavy publicity, the poor response raises serious concerns about pricing, location, and the current demand for premium housing in the Mohali region.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Retreat ceremony resumes; BSF lets farmers access fields across fence
The Border Security Force (BSF) has, after a gap of over 25 days, lifted restrictions on farmers accessing their agricultural land located across the barbed-wire fence along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. The border force also allowed the public to view the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki borders with Pakistan, 12 days after it was stopped following Operation Sindoor by India in response to the Pahalgam attack. The BSF had initially said the Tuesday's ceremony was open only for media persons and that the public can participate from Wednesday. However, it allowed the public too at the ceremony at Wagah after a large number of visitors congregated there. During the flag lowering ceremony, there were no handshakes between the BSF troops and Pakistani Rangers and the international gates on both sides remained shut during the flag-lowering process. The BSF on May 8 had stopped public entry ton the event at the three locations, citing 'public safety'. The flag, however, was being lowered each day by the troops irrespective of the public presence. The flag is lowered every evening by BSF troops in synchronisation with Pakistan Rangers at the three border points. Meanwhile, farmers are yet to resume work in their fields despite the relaxation coming into effect Monday. Nearly 21,600 acres of land belonging to farmers from 220 villages lie between the barbed-wire fence and the international border, within Indian territory. These lands fall in the six border districts— Ferozepur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. The six districts together share 553 km border with Pakistan. Vanjar Singh, a farmer from Gatti Rajoke block in Ferozepur, said, 'After the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 and the capture of a BSF jawan by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 in the Mamdot sector, we were asked to finish wheat harvesting quickly. From the end of April, we were unofficially barred from going across the fence and afterwards, the border conflict happened.' Parkash Singh from Tindiwala village said, 'We managed to complete the harvesting, but couldn't collect the straw, which is vital cattle fodder. Now the question is whether the BSF will give us enough time to do so, especially with paddy transplantation approaching from June 1.' In summer, the BSF permits movement across the fence between 8 am and 5 pm under strict security oversight. BSF protocol requires two kisan guards to accompany each tractor crossing the fence. This limits how many farmers can access their fields daily, leading to concerns that some may be forced to burn the stubble given the time constraint.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
We woke up in panic, can sleep peacefully now: Punjab residents welcome ceasefire
After two sleepless nights marred with blackouts and drone attacks, Punjab finally breathed a sigh of relief with India and Pakistan agreeing to a ceasefire on Saturday. Since Indian Army's 'Op Sindoor' early on Wednesday, Punjab, both its bustling cities and border towns, was in the thick of the storm. The state, which shares over 500 km of its border with Pakistan had started witnessing a storm of drone attacks on Thursday night and since then the residents lived in fear amid blackouts. Heera Sodhi, former Punjab State Information Commissioner and a resident from Ferozepur, said, 'Punjab vaste bhot vadiya hoya… (It is a very good thing for Punjab…). We suffer the most as we are a border state. But I'm happy that India took a strong and aggressive stand against terrorism and clearly sent out the message that we will not tolerate nonsense anymore. Though most drones were neutralised, on Friday night, three people were injured in Ferozepur.' In Ferozepur's Tindiwala, the last village on the zero line, Parkash Singh was crying tears of joy. 'Aj khushi di gal hai… (Today is a matter of happiness). Our families had to be split because of the war-like situation. We had sent women and children to our relatives, now we will get them back tomorrow. Jung kisse da vi bhala nahi kardi… jung sade te thopi jaandi hai… (War never benefits anyone… war is always forced upon us as we live on the border),' he says, adding that he has now decided to build a house far away from the border. In Ludhiana, Pankaj Sharma, president of Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings, says he felt proud of the Indian Army but also sighed relief. 'The way India managed the crisis is commendable. A prolonged war would have severely impacted the economy. We salute our PM for giving the armed forces a free hand and ensuring a decisive victory.' Badish Jindal, president of All Industries and Trade Forum, says that in the last 3 days, many migrant workers left Ludhiana fearing war. 'But now, with the ceasefire, I believe they will return. If the war had continued, Punjab's industry would have collapsed. We were already feeling the pressure due to the exodus of the workforce,' he says. Barnala-based government teacher Nirmal Singh Thikriwala reflected on the collective psyche. 'Saturday morning, we woke up panicked. Thank God, we can now sleep peacefully. But I'm disappointed that instead of understanding the hardships of our armed forces, many people were making reels and memes of the situation,' he says. Bathinda-based Dr Vittul K Gupta congratulated the Indian Army for teaching Pakistan a lesson by destroying their terror camps. Meanwhile, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj welcomed the ceasefire. 'From the beginning, I have believed that war should not break out between the two nations,' he said, adding that he had performed Ardas before Guru Sahib at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, while welcoming the ceasefire, said, 'India has made it clear that aiding and abetting terrorism will not be tolerated. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, India reaffirmed its commitment to global peace while delivering a strong message that cross-border terrorism is unacceptable.' He also proposed a special economic package for Punjab to compensate for disruption to trade and business. 'Given Punjab's frontline position, we've always borne the brunt of such conflicts—be it in terms of life or livelihoods. This package is essential to help us recover,' he said, adding that the proposal was supported by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. As calm returns to Punjab, the state stands both wounded and resilient—grateful for peace, but painfully aware of the cost it so often bears for being on the frontline.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tension along border: schools, Anganwadi centres shut in 5 border districts in Punjab
Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, all schools and Anganwadi centres in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Pathankot districts will remain closed Wednesday, district administration officials said. Punjab has a 553 km border with Pakistan, covering the Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Amritsar districts of the state. Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of children and staff in border areas. In Gurdaspur, the order is for private, as well as government schools, authorities said. Simultaneously, the Punjab Government also initiated a large-scale preparedness exercise as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The exercise began on the night of May 6, and includes a series of coordinated mock drills across Punjab to assess the state's civil defence readiness in case of any cross-border threat. As part of this operation, a blackout rehearsal is being conducted in 20 civil defence districts of Punjab. The exercise includes simulation of power outages and emergency response actions at key locations, including vital installations and civilian areas. The aim is to test coordination among agencies and the readiness during potential airstrike scenarios. The Punjab government has urged citizens to stay calm and cooperate with authorities. Officials emphasised that these drills are precautionary and intended to strengthen public safety systems during emergencies. After Operation Sindoor, many residents in border villages have started packing their bags in panic. 'We will be sending them to a relative's place today,' said Parkash Singh from Tindiwala village, which is the last village on the border in Ferozepur. 'Last night, villagers couldn't sleep, a few youngsters burst crackers and the entire village panicked… Later, we came to know that it was nothing,' he added.
