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Financial uncertainty dogs metro project
Chandigarh, November 7
The metro project, which fired the imagination of UT administration officials as well as residents for providing a long-term solution to the tricity’s commuting problems, is facing major financing constraints. Though the city may be a “revenue surplus” yet generating resources for the ambitious Rs 15,000 crore initiative will be an uphill task for the administration in the backdrop of its dependence on the central government for funding the project.
Eateries near airport
Aircraft flying on borrowed time
Chandigarh, November 7
Is the landing and take-off from the Chandigarh airport a safe proposition? No, if one goes by the changes that have come about near the airport in the past one year or so.
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STARS OF YORE DAZZLE |
Actors Hema Malini and Ranjeet during a fashion show at Mountview in Chandigarh
on Sunday. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu
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Aerocity
GMADA sleeps over earnest money refund
Mohali, November 7
Hundreds of unsuccessful applicants in Aerocity are apprehensive about statements issued by GMADA officials on refunding the earnest money at the earliest.
Initially, GMADA officials had claimed to start the refund process by
Diwali. But so far there is no movement and the officials are taking their own sweet time in processing the data before refunding the amount either to applicants or the banks that have financed the earnest money.
OPEN HOUSE
The not-so-pleasant side of Divali
Divali, undoubtedly, remains the most awaited festival, each year, in this part of the country. Not just children, every one in the family wants to unwind in the rigmarole of life.
This year the festival was no exception in the City Beautiful. A break from classes had kids dancing, cajoling their elders for more gifts, calling their friends and burning crackers. Teenagers had special outings as evident from rush in the fat food shops, in particular. The elders cleaned up their houses and business houses before joining in bursting crackers. The roads remained jammed and the rush continued till the last day. The celebrations continued late into the night and there was no major fire, this year, after a long gap.
Four-laning of Zirakpur, Parwanoo stretch delayed
Panchkula, November 7
Delay in the acquisition of land and heavy landslides during monsoon has delayed the completion of
four-laning of the Zirakpur-Parwanoo road on the National Highway 22.
The four-laning of the Zirakpur-Panchkula stretch is almost complete, barring the overbridge at the level crossing near Dhakauli village near Sector 20, Panchkula, and the work is likely to be completed by this month-end.
A view of the ongoing four-laning work on the Kalka-Zirakpur highway. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal
Vector-borne diseases
No letup in patient count despite chill
Chandigarh, November 7
Even with the rainy season gone and winter fast approaching, the number of patients suffering from vector-borne diseases, pulmonary and skin allergy problems has far from dwindled in the tricity hospitals.
A woman covers her face as she walks past a pile of garbage in Sector 35, Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan
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Patient inflow in dispensaries goes up
Reasons: Cost of treatment, less rush
Chandigarh, November 7
If the number of patient inflow in the 43 government dispensaries in the city is any indication, there has been a definite shift of patient rush from big hospitals, particularly the two government hospitals. A random survey of various dispensaries by the Tribune revealed that the low cost of treatment compared to private hospitals coupled with lesser rush compared to the main government hospitals have emerged as the biggest factor in what appears to be a slow but sure shift.
Nation’s Top Hospitals
PGI improves ranking, now 3rd on list
Chandigarh, November 7
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) faculty as well as other employees have a reason to be proud of themselves.
The medical institution has been ranked third among the top 10 hospitals in the country for patient care, competency of doctors and innovation of treatment, among other services.
GMADA drops move to widen business street
Mohali, November 7
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has withdrawn the ambitious plan to widen Mohali’s business street, one of the busiest arterial road passing through Phases IV, V, III-B1, III-B2 and VII, and has instead decided to widen other roads running parallel to the business street.
REPORTERS’ DIARY
UT fails to keep promises
When it comes to breaking promises, nobody matches the UT Administration. Even after two years of promising to shift routes of all buses from the ISBT-17 to ISBT-43, commuters are forced to go to Sector 17 to catch long-distance buses. What adds to the problem is the traffic chaos near Parade Ground, which buses and commuters have to pass in order to reach the ISBT. Invariably, there is an exhibition going on at Parade Ground and vehicles are seen parked haphazardly. It gets worse on a weekend. Vehicles parked on the roadside next to the CII fair on Sunday said it all. It’s time the administration bails out residents.
Haryana government ignores Morni
Fails to provide 5 mini buses sanctioned for this year
Panchkula, November 7
The Morni block of this district continues to be ignored by the Haryana government as it had failed to provide five mini buses sanctioned this year for the people of the area.
The Shivalik Development Board (SDB) had sanctioned Rs 75 lakh to the directorate of the Haryana State Transport Corporation, Chandigarh, for purchasing five mini buses to be operated in the Morni area. The funds were released by the SDB on May 28, but the corporation had failed to purchase the buses. This was disclosed by the SDB in response to the RTI application filed by Shivalik Vikas
Manch, patron advocate Vijay Bansal.
City magistrate to exercise powers of MC chief
Panchkula, November 7
In a significant development the Haryana government has issued directions that Panchkula City Magistrate would exercise the powers of the MC president. The City Magistrate has also been appointed as the administrator of municipal committee of Kalka.
Two detained for chasing MLA’s car let off
Panchkula, November 7
The police has let off the two accused, who were detained for questioning yesterday for allegedly chasing city MLA DK Bansal’s car on various occasions, after investigations.
Zirakpur sans public conveniences
Zirakpur, November 7
Despite being a hub of real estate business and marriage palaces, the town does not have a single public toilet for visitors. In the absence of public toilets, they are forced to use open spaces to ease themselves. And, the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to the problem.
ISKCON celebrates Govardhan puja
Chandigarh, November 7
The local unit of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated Anna Kuta and Govardhan puja at a bedecked hall of Hare Krishna
Dham, Sector 36-B, here today with religious fervour and enthusiasm.
Devotees celebrate “Ankut Govardhan Puja” at Hare Krishna Dham at Sector 36 in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan
Police conducts search operations
Zirakpur, November 7
In view of the ongoing festival season, the police today conducted search operations in Zirakpur, Dhakoli and Baltana area, where they rounded up two youths said to be “anti-social elements”.
From left: Trees have grown their roots in the walls of a government accommodation in Sector 23, a commercial establishment in Sector 17 and a hostel building of DAV College, Sector 10, reflecting the poor upkeep of old buildings in Chandigarh.
Tribune photos: Pradeep Tewari
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Childline out to make friends
Chandigarh, November 7
The Youth Technical Training Society (YTTS) has planned to observe “Childline Se Dosti Week” by tying over two lakh “Childline Green” ribbons to the wrist of local residents and make them “Childline Dosts”.
Guide maps not of much help
Mohali, November 7
Guide maps installed by GMADA at various points across the city have become a headache for motorists. About Rs 20 lakh has been spent on
the maps.
Bhai Dooj celebrated
Chandigarh, November 7
Bhai Dooj was celebrated with religious fervour here today. Women visited their parents’ place early in the morning to greet their brothers.
Winter flights rescheduled
Chandigarh, November 7
Expecting huge rush of entrepreneur and executive winter travellers, Kingfisher Airlines has introduced its new evening flight from the city airport. Other airline operators have also changed the timings of their flights. Kingfisher has started its new Chandigarh-Delhi flight at 7.20 pm, which earlier used to leave the city at 5.30 pm to Delhi.
Focus on knee arthroscopic techniques
Chandigarh, November 7
Live surgical demonstrations and lectures by renowned orthopaedcians marked the “Basic Knee Arthroscopy Course-2010” organised by the Indian Arthroscopy Society, Arthroscopy Learning Centre, New Delhi and Chandigarh, here today.
YC distributes ID cards
Panchkula, November 7
The local unit of the Indian Youth Congress today distributed identity cards to its members under the programme “Chalo Panchayat Ki Aur” in various wards of the city.
PU alumni house gets Rs 15 lakh aid
Chandigarh, November 7
A delegation led by PUTA president Jaspal Kaur Kang and accompanied by Mayor Anu Chatrath today met Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal during the inaugural ceremony of Cycas-Palm Garden in Sector 15, Chandigarh.
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There was a time when skaters from the Karnal and Panipat area used to overshadow other skaters of Haryana during various meets.
