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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cruise comeback: Boats to sail on Sirhind canal in Ludhiana after 140 years
Doraha (Ludhiana): For Ludhiana, this is a deja-vu moment. After over a century, boats will sail down waters of the Sirhind Canal (combined branch). There will be no logs this time though and the boats will ply on a one-kilometre stretch of the canal's Bathinda branch in Ludhiana district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative, led by the water resources department, marks the revival of navigation on the canal, as was the practice during the British era. The department has awarded a contract to a private party to operate boating services and develop an adjoining amusement park near the old bridge, close to the beginning of the Sidhwan Canal. Executive engineer, water resources department (Ropar division) confirmed the development, saying that the canal stretch identified for boating spans approximately three kilometres, with the activity concentrated in the first kilometre. "This is perhaps the first time since the 1880s that boating will be done in this canal. During the British era, boats were used for transporting wood logs, and the Doraha area even had a dedicated wood log market. This revival is part of Punjab's new tourism policy, which aims at attracting visitors and generating revenue," the officer said. The initiative follows a similar project launched in Ropar around five months ago, which has reportedly received a positive response. Inspired by that success, the Ludhiana district is now preparing to offer a unique recreational experience along the canal. As part of the agreement, the private contractor has been granted a seven-year lease for both the boating area and the land designated for the amusement park. The annual lease fee for each is Rs 10 lakh, with a 10% increase every year. The contractor is also responsible for all development expenses, including landscaping, infrastructure, and safety measures. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Work on the site is progressing rapidly. Landscaping has already been completed along the canal banks, and two boats were spotted parked at the location during a visit by TOI. A private employee working on the project said that three motorboats have been brought in and more may be added in future as there is no cap on the number of boats allowed. "We've made most of the preparations. We're just waiting for final touches on the amusement park. A test run for boating is expected in a day or two," he added. The amusement park will feature fun activities for children, and a restaurant. Trained drivers will operate the motorboats, and safety protocols are being put in place to ensure secure rides for visitors. While local residents have expressed excitement about the upcoming facility, they have also emphasised the importance of safety. SBS Nagar resident Vivek Verma said, "It's great to see boating coming to our canal. But authorities must ensure that safety is given top priority. Life jackets, trained staff, and emergency protocols should be mandatory." In addition to the Doraha project, the water resources department has floated a tender for a similar boating initiative near Neelon Bridge, on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh National Highway. Although the tender has not yet matured, officials are optimistic about expanding boating activities across the region. Another proposal is in the works for the Sidhwan Canal, from Brahman Majra village to the Lohara area. Officials confirmed that private parties will be invited to bid for this project as well, indicating a broader push to integrate canal-based tourism into the district's development plans. The Sirhind Canal, constructed during the British era around 1882, was originally designed for irrigation and played a crucial role in supporting agriculture in Punjab's Malwa region. The revival of boating on this historic waterway is being seen not just as a tourism initiative, but also as a nod to the canal's rich legacy. Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura welcomed the development, stating, "This is the first time after the British era that boating is going to start in the canal. It will be a great source of amusement for people, and the work is progressing at a fast pace." If successful, it could pave the way for similar ventures across Punjab, transforming its historic canals into vibrant hubs of leisure and tourism. A milestone for Ludhiana Unique initiative | Contract awarded to a private party by the water resources department for boating and amusement park development Boating to take place near the Old Bridge, close to the start of the Sidhwan Canal Historical revival | Boats were last used in the canal during the British era (circa 1880s) for wood log navigation Tourism boost | Part of Punjab's new tourism policy to attract visitors and generate revenue Lease details | 7-year lease for boating and amusement park; Rs 10 lakh annual fee for each, with a 10% yearly hike Infrastructure | Landscaping completed; three motorboats already brought in; more may be added Safety measures | Trained drivers and safety protocols planned; locals emphasise safety as a priority Additional proposals | Boating tender floated near Neelon Bridge; plans underway for Sidhwan Canal stretch . MSID:: 123218116 413 |
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bizman duped of 1.77cr in online trading scam
Lucknow: A Lucknow-based businessman was duped of Rs 1.77 crore in an online trading scam that began with a WhatsApp message and ended with his investment account being blocked. The case was registered at the cyber crime police station on Tuesday. The victim, Vivek Verma, originally from Safedabad in Barabanki and currently residing in Indiranagar Sector-16, alleged that the fraud began when he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number a few weeks ago. The sender, identifying herself as Shruti Jaiswal, introduced him to a trading platform that allegedly offered high returns. She gained his trust by showing attractive profits on initial small investments and later sent him a website link, urging him to register and begin trading through the platform. Verma initially invested a small sum and soon saw a credited profit of Rs 1 lakh in his account, a tactic often used by cyber fraudsters to lure victims into deeper investments. Encouraged by these returns, he invested a total of Rs 1.77 crore across 22 transactions between May 27 and July 16. However, when he attempted to withdraw the profits, his account was suddenly blocked, and the so-called trading platform went silent. Realising he was duped, Verma approached the Cyber Crime police station and lodged a complaint. "We are tracking the IP address and the payment gateway used in the transactions to trace the accused," said cyber crime inspector Brajesh Yadav.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Deadline for property tax settlement scheme extended to Aug 15
Ludhiana: The local bodies department has extended the deadline for its one-time property tax settlement scheme to August 15, offering relief to defaulters who missed the original cut-off date of July 31. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The extension comes after a surge in last-minute payments at civic body's suvidha centres across Ludhiana. Under the scheme, launched on May 15, property owners with pending dues from 2013-14 onwards were given a chance to clear their backlog without paying any interest or penalty. Officials said that initial response was slow, but picked up momentum in July. So far, the department has collected Rs 15 crore under the scheme, contributing to Rs 40 crore property tax revenue for the current fiscal year. As per the original policy, dues paid between August 1 and October 31 would attract a 50% waiver on interest and penalties. Now that the deadline has been extended, full waiver benefits will continue till August 15, giving taxpayers a few more days to settle their accounts. MC superintendent Vivek Verma confirmed the extension and urged residents to take advantage of the scheme. "This is a golden opportunity for defaulters to clear their dues without additional financial burden," he said. While the extension benefits taxpayers, it has sparked concern among MC employees, who have been working overtime, including weekends and public holidays, to manage the rush. With Raksha Bandhan falling on Saturday, staff members are considering requesting the MC commissioner to keep suvidha centres closed on holidays. One employee noted that the pressure would continue even after the scheme ended, as the civic body would shift focus to collecting current dues. Taxpayers are eligible for a 10% rebate on current dues until September 30, which means that offices may remain open on weekends for months to come. The department has appealed to residents to cooperate and complete their payments early to avoid last-minute congestion. MSID:: 123043253 413 |
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mohali firm SPRAY's biomass to bioenergy pitch draws global interest
SPRAY Engineering Devices Limited (SEDL), a Mohali-based company, drew international attention at RegaTec 2025 in Weimar, Germany, with its presentation on biomass-based energy solutions and green chemicals. The event, held on May 20 and 21, spotlighted innovations in renewable energy, with SEDL positioning its Made-in-India technology as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Vivek Verma, managing director of SEDL, presented the company's approach to leveraging Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) systems for converting biomass into bioenergy and green chemicals. Titled Biomass to Bioenergy & Green Chemicals, the presentation proposed a shift away from biomass burning — long criticised for contributing to North India's air pollution crises — towards systems that support second-generation ethanol production and broader carbon reduction targets. Verma was joined by researchers Dr Kaleem Ahmad and Dr Malli, who shared technical insights during the session. The team outlined how MVR-based heat recycling could be applied in areas like jaggery production and water processing, with potential benefits for both rural industries and larger-scale biofuel initiatives. The technology, developed and manufactured in India, received strong interest from European and global stakeholders. Attendees included industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers exploring alternatives to the hydrocarbon value chain
Business Standard
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SPRAY's MVR Innovation Wins India Global Praise at RegaTec 2025 in Germany
PNN Weimar [Germany], May 24: India's leadership in sustainable innovation took center stage at RegaTec 2025, as Mr. Vivek Verma, Managing Director of Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SEDL), unveiled a transformative vision for transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy through MVR-based heat recycling. Held on 20th and 21st May, 2025 in Weimar, Germany, his presentation, titled "Biomass to Bioenergy & Green Chemicals," was widely applauded for its commercial viability, underlining Spray's industry-ready, scalable solutions for a greener future. The presentation particularly highlighted about the elimination of biomass burning--a critical step in boosting second-generation ethanol production and achieving net zero targets (zero carbon emissions). Joining Mr. Verma were Dr. Kaleem Ahmad and Dr. Malli, whose technical insights further strengthened India's representation at this prestigious international forum. The session spotlighted key innovations and strategies, including the transformation of the hydrocarbon value chain by replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives, the deployment of MVR-based systems for jaggery production and water processing, and advancements in biofuels, green chemicals, and second-generation ethanol. Additionally, the presentation emphasized the role of biomass-based energy in supporting India's drive toward self-reliance in sustainable power generation. This breakthrough--designed, developed, and manufactured entirely in India--garnered strong interest from European and global stakeholders, showcasing how Indian innovation is not only solving local challenges but also contributing meaningfully to global sustainability goals. SPRAY's MVR-based systems exemplify how Made-in-India technologies can drive worldwide impact.
