Jalandhar, March 6
Though the Jalandhar municipal corporation declared several busy roads of the city as no-parking zones with an immediate effect, to streamline the traffic density, the stern campaign has rather fallen flat due to the failure of the authorities concerned in implementing the same. The initiative was taken keeping in mind the ever-increasing traffic problems faced by the commuters.

The MC authorities had at that time earmarked certain roads where the city residents were not allowed to park their vehicles in future. However, no strict action has been taken by the district traffic police against the erring vehicle owners.

It was also decided that the violators would be challaned and punished under the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act and instructions were passed to tow away the vehicles parked in the zones.

As it had become a practice among a majority of the locals to park vehicles on the roads, the tow-away zones were started for the safe movement of people.

Even MC commissioner C.S. Talwar had at that time made it clear that as a majority of the commuters were facing problems due to vehicles parked in a wrong manner, it was necessary to implement this system.

The MC authorities had specially declared that the road starting from Lyallpur Khalsa College till Namdev Chowk would be a no-parking-zone. Similarly, the zone restrictions would be applicable from Skylark Hotel Chowk to the Geeta Mandir in Model Town. Bhagwan Mahavir Marg, starting from BMC Chowk and ending at Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya Chowk would also be covered under the same restrictions.

But Guru Nanak Mission Gurdwara along with Oxford Hospital, Tagore Hospital and BBC Heart Care Centre, on this marg were exempted from the purview of no-parking zone.

However, a survey of the city by The Tribune revealed that nearly every second tow-away zone was rather flooded with vehicles in a row and that too right under the nose of the traffic police.

Bhagwan Mahavir Marg was one such site where people parked their vehicles despite the fact that BMC Chowk is always under observation by the traffic police. Similarly, vehicles were also parked near the Skylark Hotel, Masand Chowk and Namdev Chowk areas.

When contacted, SSP Arpit Shukla said the police department had got only one crane to lift vehicles and has not been given another crane by the MC authorities till date.

“But now we have decided to implement tow-away charges under which a fine of Rs 50, Rs 100 or Rs 200 would be charged from the violators. We are looking forward to curb this menace strictly in the coming days.”

Jalandhar, March 6
Now there is no need to be cautious while using electric wires and gadgets. Two students from the electrical and electronics engineering department of the CT Institute of Engineering, Management and Technology have come up with a novel idea of shockproof electricity.

The students - Naveen Kumar and Nitesh Kumar - have developed a working model which works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The model includes the use of a ratio transformer that gets the regular voltage supply without making any earth connection.

The transformer when connected by wires to any electrical gadget including fan, bulb or laptop transmits shock-free electricity. Explaining the concept, the students said, “We get a physical shock from the phase wire when we touch it and the circuit is completed through earth to neutral. In this case, the circuit cannot be completed through the human body because current does not get the way to reach the second terminal.”

The students touched the naked wires and bulb base with bare hands and footwear removed to prove their point. They said they had experimented, tested and proved the method for every appliance of 230 volt single-phase AC supply with the transformer and found the functioning satisfactory.

The students said they had even found that the transformer could be attached with any power from zero to infinity capacity. They said they were planning to apply the technique for all the laboratories of the institute. They said the same it could be applied to all domestic and commercial buildings for the safety of families and workers employed there.

Jalandhar, March 6
After carrying out an eco-drive at the Kala Sanghian drain a fortnight back, environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal is said to be preparing for an anti-pollution awareness rally to be organised along the Jamsher drain on March 11.

Residents of Jamsher, Kang Sabu, Chak, Mallian, Bhodesaprai, Kangnewal and other villages falling along the drain said the programme was being held after they asked Seechewal to pay a visit to their areas and take stock of the alarming situation.

Amarjit Singh Shergill, a complainant, said their villages were sandwiched between the Jamsher drain and the Kali Bein, both of which were being polluted by dairies, industries in residential areas and MC discharge.

He said a rally at the site could help in creating awareness among the industrialists, dairy holders and coporation authorities.

Jalandhar, March 6
After a gap of 11 years, the Jalandhar cantonment board will witness elections on May 18. A notification in this regard was issued yesterday by the directorate of defence estates, a copy of which reached the CEO, cantonment board office, here today.

As many as 25,000 cantonment residents from seven wards are likely to exercise their franchise in the election. While earlier too there were seven wards, a redistribution was done recently. While ward numbers 1 and 2 have been reserved for woman candidates, ward number 6 will be represented by an SC candidate.

Since elections could not be conducted for over a decade, a panel of sub area commander, CEO and a nominated civil member were given powers to take decisions on relevant issues.

The cantonment covers vast land up to 1521 hectares. While 53 hectares of the land is inhabited by the civil population, 63 hectares of land falls in C-class category and the remaining portion includes bungalows and Mall Road areas.

Jalandhar, March 6
City kids can soon expect more fun and amusement if the proposals mooted by the Vajra Corps get materialised.

Having already set up a go-kart track and a horse riding training school, the Army has come up with the ideas of setting up a skating rink and a wildlife sanctuary. Though the plan for the rink is near completion, Army officials were yet to get a nod for developing a sanctuary.

This was revealed by Lieut-Gen S.S. Kumar, GOC, Vajra Corps, during a recent interaction. He said the skating rink could come up in a few months as the construction was expected to start soon.

Since no open skating rink was available in the city the facility is expected to attract a large number of kids, he added. The GOC said the wildlife sanctuary was being proposed around the area near the huge vacant grounds on the left side of the Mall road.

He said, “All such recreation facilities were proving to be a boon for establishing a better Army-civil liaison. Besides, they were helping in removing perceptions which the public had about the Army.”

Gen Kumar said the go-karting facility opened at Sapper’s Park six months ago was getting a number of takers. From children to adults, people of all age groups have been visiting the park that falls right in front of the Jalandhar Club, he added.

The visitors enjoy rides in the single and double seat karts which were quite safe and one-and-a-half inch above the ground. While a single person ride comes for Rs 20 per lap, the double seat kart costs Rs 30. Since the go-kart track has been created only for amusement, it works without any technical gadgets that can record the speed or be used for car racing events.

Jalandhar, March 6
Students from nearly 15 institutions will take part in a three-day inter-college cultural festival, Utkansh, at Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) to begin here tomorrow.

Tiny tots presented a dance drama “Mera swarg mujhe lota do.”A modeling show was presented with 70 tiny tots dressed up as butterflies, flowers and animals.

Words fail to describe the craze and zest of Jalandharis for the magnificent festival Mahashivratri. It was really a spectacular sight to watch multitudes of devotees standing in serpentine queues for just one glimpse of their beloved god Lord Shiva.

The whole Jalandhar turned “Shivmaya” on the pious occasion of “Shivaradhana”. A great rush could be seen at every Shiv temple, including the wonderful Devi Talab Mandir. The famous Amarnath cave of the temple was the centre of attraction for the visitors.

Ardent devotees of Lord Shiva could be seen doing much “kar seva” in “langar” and other celebrations. People, irrespective of their communal disparities, contributed a lot to make this grand festival a thunderous success.

People could be seen doing “Shivalingam abhishek” while offering “Panchamrit” and “Bilvapatra”. The exceptionally melodious chanting of “Shivpanchakshri” mantra turned the otherwise insipid atmosphere into the celestial one. The process was repeated four times in the night also.

The charismatic aura of Lord Shiva made them awake all night comfortably. The piquancy of the devotees was admirable. Colourful festooning of the “garbh-graha” heightened the beauty of their “Isht-dev”.

People believe that Shiva is the controller of all intelligence, existence, creation and enlightenment. He is also the absolute reality beyond time, space and reason. Throughout his life a human-being earnestly craves for one touch of the transcendent.

This opulent celebration was the affirmation of that faith only. Truly, Lord Shiva touched the chord as He always does.

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