31102024-JTR-01.qxd 10/30/2024 11:04 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune » CRACKDOWN ON DACOITY CASES, 2 HELD INSIDE » PHAGWARA LAWYERS OBSERVE 'NO WORK DAY' INSIDE FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 34°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.39 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.43 AM » FELL TO BULLETS OF TRUSTED GUARD INSIDE THURSDAY | 31 OCTOBER 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF VILLAGER HELD FOR RAPING WOMAN Phagwara: The police have arrested a villager on the charge of raping a married woman. The accused had been identified as Kulveer Singh of Fajalpur village. The victim complained to the police that the accused barged into her house on October 28 night and raped and threatened her with dire consequences, if she disclosed it. OC Who’s responsible for darkness on roads? Over 7,000 non-functional LED bulbs raise fear of safety in city Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service VILLAGERS HELD FOR FARM FIRES Nakodar/Nurmahal: The Mehatpur police have arrested a villager for burning paddy stubble. The suspect had been identified as Harjit Singh of Lohgarh village. The police received a WhatsApp image of burning paddy stubble in Aadramann village and reached the spot and identified the suspect. The suspect was released on bail. The police booked Indarjit Singh of Pabwan village for burning paddy stubble at Sidham Hari Singh village. OC WOMAN HELD FOR STEALING GOODS Phagwara: The police have arrested a woman on the charge of stealing household goods from a house. The accused Jaswindar Kaurwas a resident of Uggi village. Tejindar Kaur of Gurdaspur village complained to the police that the accused and her son stole goods from her daughter's house. Her son is absconding. oc Jalandhar, October 30 As Diwali lights illuminate houses and neighbourhoods, large stretches of city roads are left in darkness due to non-functional streetlights, casting a shadow on the festival celebrations, raising serious questions on the MC accountability. Despite the civic body’s duty to maintain well-lit streets, the failure to address the issue has left the residents concerned about safety. With over 7,000 LED streetlights reportedly out of order, key roads in areas such as Model Town, Ladowali Road, Guru Nanakpura Road and Maqsudan Chowk are without proper lighting, creating hazardous conditions and fuelling frustration among residents. Meanwhile, the streetlight crisis isn’t new. For the last few years, the city’s LED streetlight project has been marred by allegations of corruption, with the matter even reaching the Vigilance Bureau for investigation. The project, initially meant to modernise the city’s lighting system, has instead become a symbol of inefficiency, with Non-functional streetlights in Jalandhar cast shadow on Diwali celebrations. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH rumours of kickbacks and misappropriated funds raising serious doubts on the credibility of the MC’s management. Yet, despite ongoing investigations, the issue persists and streets remain dark. The situation has led to a surge in crime across such areas as criminals exploit the situation to target residents. The MC’s complaint cell has received over 1,000 complaints in recent months about non-functional streetlights and anti-social activities that have emerged in the resulting darkness. Kripal Singh, a resident, said without lights, the risk of crimes and accidents becomes a constant worry. “Jalandhar aspires to be a Smart City, but basic infrastructure remains in poor shape,” said Dinesh Sharma, another resident. He said corruption allegations have plagued this project, yet nothing has been done to hold anyone accountable. Sources within the MC c m y b point to a significant payment backlog behind the primary cause for the maintenance lapse. Approximately Rs 1.75 crore dues for operation and maintenance services has been pending with the maintenance company since January 2024. The company has reportedly sent many reminders to the MC, but without payment, they have been forced to scale back on services, leaving localities like Basti Guzan, Bashirpura Main Road, Bhagat Singh Colony, 120ft Road and stretches from Kapurthala Chowk to Raj Nagar and Lamma Pind Chowk to Kishanpura Chowk in the dark. Meanwhile, MC officials said that maintenance work is underway. They said the nonpayment matter had been resolved and it was due to some legal issues that work got delayed, but now teams have resumed repairs and the MC is conducting a comprehensive survey of non-functional streetlights across the city. Teams of doctors’ on toes for Diwali Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, October 30 On the Diwali eve, the Health Department of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar has issued a warning about the potential hazards of the firecracker use, urging the public to adopt safety precautions to prevent accidents and health issues. Civil Surgeon Dr Jaspreet Kaur emphasised that healthcare faculty is on alert to manage burns and respiratory emergencies, noting that smoke from firecrackers can cause severe eye irritation, respiratory problems and other health issues. Dr Kaur stressed the importance of first-aid preparedness, advising residents to have essential items like sterile dressings and cool water available in case of burns or minor injuries. The department has also ensured that tertiary care centres across the district are equipped to handle emergencies, with surgical teams, blood supplies and necessary medical equipment on standby. According to Dr Kaur, the department has coordinated with local hospitals to stock essential drugs and intravenous fluids, with an added focus on quick-response care to improve outcomes for burn victims. “Our responsibility as healthcare providers is to prioritise safety by keeping all resources ready for any emergency this Diwali,” she said. Dr Kaur advised the public to be cautious and take measures to avoid accidents. Simple steps like buying firecrackers from licensed sellers, lighting them in open areas away from buildings and ensuring children are supervised can help prevent injuries. She emphasized the dangers of re-lighting misfired crackers, which can ignite unexpectedly, and urged people to avoid loose or synthetic clothing, which increases the risk of burns. She further highlighted the health impacts of firecracker pollution, explaining that fine particles like PM2.5 and PM10 worsen respiratory conditions and can lead to cardiovascular issues, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting health problems. Chemicals in the smoke can irritate the eyes, causing redness and temporary vision problems, particularly for those wearing contact lenses. The loud noises from fireworks can also pose hearing risks, with noise levels often exceeding safe limits, which is especially dangerous for young children. The Health Department advises celebrating Diwali with eco-friendly alternatives, using lights, sweets and traditional activities to reduce noise and air pollution. She encouraged residents to enjoy the festival responsibly.