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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ludhiana civic body struggles to implement unique identification number plates for households over drone issues.
Ludhiana: A high-profile project to assign unique identification (UID) number plates to every household in te city is headed for its third relaunch, after two failed attempts under separate civic initiatives. This time they have a new backer and contractor, as drones, delays and disputes stall progress. The project — originally aimed at digitising property records and improving revenue collection through scannable QR-code plates — has been stalled repeatedly due to execution delays, contractor disputes, and changing mandates from supervising authorities. The first rollout, managed directly by the municipal corporation (MC), ended prematurely after just 35,000 UID plates were installed. A second attempt under the central government's Smart City Mission saw the installation of 80,000 plates and a GIS survey of around 1.5 lakh properties. But this effort also collapsed when the contractor declined to conduct a drone-based survey, citing costs three times higher than budgeted and arguing drones were not part of the original agreement. As of now, the MC has scrapped the existing contract and is preparing for a third rollout — this time supported by the World Bank. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The contractor, which began plate installation in Shimlapuri's Block 29, halted work after officials directed them to switch to drone-based surveying on instructions from the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC). The firm refused, warning that such an expansion would significantly increase costs beyond the allocated ₹5.75 crore. With work suspended, the MC is yet to determine how to manage the funds already allocated under the Smart City Mission. The project had originally been awarded in April 2023, with a completion deadline of April 2024, later extended to March 31, 2025 — delayed initially due to indecision over its formal inauguration. MC Chief: Project Under Review Municipal commissioner and CEO of Ludhiana Smart City Limited, Aaditya Dachalwal, confirms that the current project has been shelved. "We are ready with the reworked proposal. It is currently being vetted by PMIDC, and once cleared, we'll float new tenders," he said. The areas where UID plates were already installed won't be included in the next rollout. Dy Mayor Flags Contractor Conflict Deputy mayor Prince Johar has formally raised concerns about the firm's repeated involvement in failed attempts. In a letter to the MC commissioner, Johar recommended debarring the contractor, alleging that the same entity may have been involved in both previous phases — and is now also responsible for maintaining the MC's website and delivering 37 digital services, which he claims are poorly managed. Looking Ahead As Ludhiana's civic body prepares to float tenders for the third time — with new terms and international support — questions remain over accountability, project execution, and whether the city's long-delayed UID system can finally move from ambition to reality. MSID:: 122342670 413 |
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Keep dustbins near vends: MC chief tells city vendors
Ludhiana: Taking another initiative to keep the city clean, MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal Friday issued an order directing street vendors to ensure dustbins/ garbage receptacles near their vends. The order states that they can face penalties of up to Rs 2,000 if they fail to do so, and if the area around around their vends is littered with waste. An FIR can also be registered against them for repeated violations. The civic body can also seize their material/equipment. Civic teams will create awareness among the street vendors, and if they still fail to comply with the orders, action will be initiated against them under relevant sections of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976; the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The street vendors have been asked to keep separate dustbins/garbage receptacles for dry and wet waste. They should hand over the garbage to garbage collectors or dump the garbage at designated sites (transfer stations) only after closing down their vends at night. Vendors must also refrain from burning waste, spitting, urinating in public spaces, or using banned single-use plastic items at their stalls. The enforcement teams of MC's sanitation (health branch) and tehbazaari wings will regularly monitor compliance and take appropriate action against violators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 年最紓壓的農場遊戲！無需安裝 東加：島嶼農場 立即播放 Undo Commissioner Dachalwal said this is among the many steps being taken to ensure cleanliness across the city. A copy of the order issued by the commissioner has also been sent to the office of the police commissioner. If necessary, environmental penalties could also be imposed on the violators under applicable provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Finally, city to get all-weather swimming pool, C&D waste plant in Ludhiana soon
Ludhiana: A few much-awaited projects of the civic body are ready for inauguration and will be handed over to the public soon. Work on the all-weather swimming pool and construction and demolition waste plant is complete while the basketball court is near completion. Officials said that it will take another week to complete the remaining work. The construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant set up in Dhandhari was initially conceived under the Smart City Mission but was taken up under the Swachh Bharat Mission due to increase in its cost and change in the structure. The project cost was estimated at Rs 2.69 crore, but the site allocated for the project turned out to be a dumpsite, because of which authorities needed to construct pillars and remove the trash. This led to escalation of the project cost. Finally, the tender was awarded for Rs 7.30 crore, with an additional Rs 2.20 crore spent on machinery, which was purchased under the Smart City Mission. The plant constructed by the civic body will have the capacity to process at least 100 tons of construction waste per day. Officials said that after crushing the waste, the contractor will manufacture multiple products, like tiles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Explore Home Solar Installation Careers and Training Options LocalPlan Search Now Undo The C&D waste plant is urgently needed in the city, as frequent construction work results in heaps of rubble lying everywhere. The civic body attempted to designate places where people could dispose of waste, but it did not work, and waste can even be seen in green belts. The all weather swimming pool was also a longstanding demand in the city, where residents did not have a place to swim during the winter months. Only a few clubs and private places have all-weather pools. Swimming enthusiasts, especially players, were unable to practise. The all-weather pool has been constructed near Rakh Bagh, adjoining the older MC pool, which remains operational in the summer. The pool has been constructed under the Smart City Mission at a cost of Rs 5.82 crore. It is 4.5 feet deep on one side and 6 feet on the other. The third project is the basketball court in Guru Nanak Stadium, costing Rs 14.38 crore under the Smart City Mission. It will take another week to complete the work. This project has missed several deadlines already and now, two courts are almost ready. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said, "The swimming pool is ready and if anyone wants to use it, they can go ahead. We have also conducted trial runs of the C&D waste plant, which will start shortly. However, the basketball court will take time. It will also start in some time." Now that the MC has constructed sports infrastructure, including a table tennis court, basketball court, and all-weather swimming pool, officials plan to hand over the projects to private bodies for proper maintenance. Ludhiana: A few much-awaited projects of the civic body are ready for inauguration and will be handed over to the public soon. Work on the all-weather swimming pool and construction and demolition waste plant is complete while the basketball court is near completion. Officials said that it will take another week to complete the remaining work. The construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant set up in Dhandhari was initially conceived under the Smart City Mission but was taken up under the Swachh Bharat Mission due to increase in its cost and change in the structure. The project cost was estimated at Rs 2.69 crore, but the site allocated for the project turned out to be a dumpsite, because of which authorities needed to construct pillars and remove the trash. This led to escalation of the project cost. Finally, the tender was awarded for Rs 7.30 crore, with an additional Rs 2.20 crore spent on machinery, which was purchased under the Smart City Mission. The plant constructed by the civic body will have the capacity to process at least 100 tons of construction waste per day. Officials said that after crushing the waste, the contractor will manufacture multiple products, like tiles. The C&D waste plant is urgently needed in the city, as frequent construction work results in heaps of rubble lying everywhere. The civic body attempted to designate places where people could dispose of waste, but it did not work, and waste can even be seen in green belts. The all weather swimming pool was also a longstanding demand in the city, where residents did not have a place to swim during the winter months. Only a few clubs and private places have all-weather pools. Swimming enthusiasts, especially players, were unable to practise. The all-weather pool has been constructed near Rakh Bagh, adjoining the older MC pool, which remains operational in the summer. The pool has been constructed under the Smart City Mission at a cost of Rs 5.82 crore. It is 4.5 feet deep on one side and 6 feet on the other. The third project is the basketball court in Guru Nanak Stadium, costing Rs 14.38 crore under the Smart City Mission. It will take another week to complete the work. This project has missed several deadlines already and now, two courts are almost ready. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said, "The swimming pool is ready and if anyone wants to use it, they can go ahead. We have also conducted trial runs of the C&D waste plant, which will start shortly. However, the basketball court will take time. It will also start in some time." Now that the MC has constructed sports infrastructure, including a table tennis court, basketball court, and all-weather swimming pool, officials plan to hand over the projects to private bodies for proper maintenance.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Monsoon preparation in Ludhiana: Notices served on 159 unsafe building owners
Jun 28, 2025 05:32 AM IST To ensure residents safety during the monsoon season, municipal corporation (MC) has served notices to the owners of 159 unsafe buildings situated in different parts of the city. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said that the building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city and on the basis of that survey, notices have now been served to the owners. (HT photo for representation) Working on the directions of MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, the notices have been served by the building branch officials to the owners of unsafe buildings, and they have been directed to repair/demolish the illegal structures at the earliest. The notices have been served under Section 273 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. Of these 159 unsafe buildings, 48 are situated in different areas falling under Zone A of MC. While 21 are situated under Zone B, 35 are under Zone C and 55 unsafe buildings fall under Zone D of MC. The owners have been directed to initiate the repair/demolish work at the earliest or else they would be responsible for any mishap or untoward incident followed by collapse of unsafe building during the rainy season. The civic body officials are also writing to the police department to get these unsafe buildings vacated as these poses' danger to the lives of the residents. MC commissioner Dachalwal said that the building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city and on the basis of that survey, notices have now been served to the owners. MC removes six encroachments from Shingar Cinema road The tehbazaari wing of MC removed temporary encroachments from Shingar cinema road on Friday. Action was taken against six shopkeepers who had committed encroachments outside their shops. The material kept on the road portion was confiscated by the civic team. Tehbazaari inspector Sunil Kumar said that action was taken on the direction of MC commissioner Dachalwal and zonal commissioner Neeraj Jain. Kumar further stated that one shopkeeper tried to create obstruction during the drive, following which a complaint has been lodged against him at Dharampura police chowki. He further stated that the drive against encroachments will continue in the coming days.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
On shaky ground: 159 unsafe buildings identified in Ludhiana
Ludhiana: The town planning branch has completed a fresh survey of unsafe buildings in the city and identified at least 159 such buildings across all four zones. Officials said that they have prepared a list and served notices on owners of unsafe buildings. According to the fresh survey, zone D has the maximum number of unsafe buildings, which is 55, whereas zone A, which comprises the old city, has 48 unsafe buildings. Zone B and zone C have 21 and 35 unsafe buildings, respectively. According to a survey conducted in 2021, zone A had the maximum number of unsafe buildings, which was 64, while zones B, C, and D, had 21, 38, and 33 unsafe buildings respectively. An official claimed that most of the unsafe buildings are residential, and owners have rented them out. He added that tenants live in such unsafe buildings, even at risk to their lives. According to him, in most cases, the civic body only had the option of sending notices to the owner. Also, disputes between owners and tenants prevented officials from taking action, he explained. The MC has served notices on owners of these buildings under Section 273 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. They have been directed to repair or demolish the unsafe structures, failing which they would be responsible for any accident or untoward incident if any unsafe building or part of it collapsed during the rainy season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AC Installation & Repair from Certified Pros Search7 Learn More Undo Civic officials are also writing to the police department to get these unsafe buildings vacated as they pose a danger to the lives of residents. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said that building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city in the recent past. On the basis of the survey, notices have been served to owners, who have been directed to demolish unsafe buildings or structures. Areas near Chaura Bazaar and surrounding markets are filled with old, decaying structures, ticking time bombs waiting to unleash tragedy. Most of these unsafe buildings are in Chaura Bazaar, Chauri Sadak, Jawahar Nagar Camp, Daresi, Gill Road, Field Ganj, Lakkar Bazaar, Nadiyan Mohalla, Jawaddi, Model Town Extension, Islam Ganj, Ajit Nagar, Moti Nagar, Amarpura, and Tajpur Road. Previous Incidents Oct 1, 2024: A woman and her infant had a narrow escape when an unsafe building collapsed in Bandeyan Mohalla near Chawal Bazaar Feb 3, 2023: An old building collapsed in Karta Ram Street, Chaura Bazaar Aug 12, 2021: More than 10 people received injuries when an unsafe building collapsed Aug 14, 2021: The floor of an unsafe building collapsed while owners were dismantling the structure
