How a revamped Bremen chowk changed the outlook of Aundh

Around two and half decades ago, when mayors from Pune and Bremen, a city in Germany stuck a friendship chord, the civic body decided to rename one of its square at Aundh and revamp it. On Sunday, Pune-Bremen friendship square completed 25 years of bringing in the first International city Bremen as its sister city. This iconic square was awarded by the United Nations for the sister city partnership on November 13,1997.

Gurugram metro showing significant revenue growth: CS

The 28.5km metro project connecting HUDA city centre to cyber city in Gurugram is at the advanced stage of final approval from the Union government and has been included in PM Gati Shakti projects, according to chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal. The projects are expected to provide an efficient and environment-friendly transport system and accelerate commercial development in Gurugram and other areas of Haryana. The Gurugram metro has reportedly shown significant growth in revenue in the last 11 months of the 2022-23 fiscal year. Kaushal also directed deputy commissioners to check and monitor illegal mining activities and deploy mining guards as per the requirement.

Haryana roadways to buy 375 electric buses

India's Haryana Roadways is set to add 375 electric buses to its fleet, as part of the state government's plan to provide cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly public transport to citizens. Other items approved at the meeting of the high-powered purchase committee, headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, included 4.5 lakh streetlights for municipal authorities, 21 high pressure jetting-cum-suction hydraulic sewer cleaning machines, ductile pipes and an upgrade of a 66 KV sub-station at Sadhaura. Khattar said the purchases had been made in a transparent manner to save public money.

Fire ravages revolving restaurant in Panchkula

A fire broke out at the Aasma Revolving Restaurant in Amravati Enclave near Kalka-Shimla national highway in Panchkula, Haryana, on Friday morning. The blaze, which started in the false ceiling, was thought to have resulted from a short-circuit. There were no casualties, although the false ceiling and kitchenware were destroyed. Six fire tenders were used to control the fire within 30 minutes.

Mohali: Duo robs banker of ₹1 lakh at gunpoint through UPI transfer

Two masked men robbed a 52-year-old banker of ?1.2 lakh and his mobile phones at gunpoint after offering him a free car ride in Zirakpur on Friday. Threatening to kill him, the robbers first looted ?1 lakh through UPI?transfer, before forcing the victim to withdraw ?20,000 from an ATM, said police.

Panjab University submits self-study report for NAAC grade renewal

Panjab University has submitted a self-study report to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for the renewal of its accreditation grade. The university's NAAC grade expired in June 2022, but it was not ready to apply for a new one at that time. NAAC accreditation is a performance indicator for higher education institutions and is mandatory for applying for funds from central agencies. An NAAC grade 'A' is the eligibility criteria for even for the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) grant.

4th liquor vend auction also proves damp squib, only 7of 36 vends sold in Chandigarh

The Chandigarh excise and taxation department has sold only seven of the 36 remaining vends in its fourth auction, despite reducing reserve prices by up to 10%. The department earned INR36.38 crore ($4.9m) against the reserve price of INR35.89 crore. A further auction is planned, with reserve prices being decreased by a further 3% to 5%, although no date has been announced. Last year, the department held seven auctions but still could not sell three of the total 96 vends.

New fiscal rolls in with slew of changes in Chandigarh

From April 1, Chandigarh residents will face a 5% hike in water tariff and garbage collection charges, while sewerage cess on water has been reduced from 30% to 10%. The city's electricity department has requested the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission to approve a 10% hike in electricity tariff, while liquor vends will be open until midnight but will charge an extra INR10 ($0.14) for all beer brands. Public service vehicles must install tracking devices to improve safety, while door-to-door garbage collection will begin from commercial and industrial units, with charges depending on the size of the establishment.

Chandigarh: Another car break-in at Sukhna Lake, ₹1.95 lakh, laptop stolen

Thieves have stolen INR1.95 lakh ($2,670) in cash and other valuables from a car parked at the back end of Sukhna Lake, India, after smashing the vehicle's window. The incident was the second car break-in at the lake in a week. Police have urged visitors to the area to avoid keeping valuables in parked cars.

Sandeep Singh’s counsel seeks more time to reply on brain mapping in sexual harassment case

Haryana minister Sandeep Singh's counsel has sought more time to file a reply to the application by Chandigarh police to conduct his brain mapping in a sexual harassment case filed by a junior athletics coach. The hearing has been adjourned until 13 April. The police registered a case against Singh, who holds the printing and stationery department, under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code on 31 December 2022.

Ludhiana man arrested for firing at cops in Mohali

A resident of Ludhiana has been arrested by Mohali police for opening fire at a police party during a check post on February 2. The accused, Balkar Singh, quarrelled with the police, pulled out a firearm and fired at them before fleeing the scene. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered, and the police are attempting to recover the weapon. The case has been registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and under the Arms Act at the Sohana police station.

Delhi youth held for wearing Brigadier’s uniform in Ambala Cantt

A 22-year-old man has been arrested by the Government Railway Police in India for wearing the uniform of an army Brigadier in Ambala Cantonment. The man was identified as Tushar Sharma, a resident of Delhi. The police were alerted by an ex-serviceman who questioned how a young man could be wearing a Brigadier's uniform with medals. Sharma was unable to justify his attire and was handed over to the Railway Protection Force. A case has been registered under Section 140 (wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman) of the Indian Penal Code.

Panchkula: Auto driver arrested for stealing passenger’s ₹2 lakh

Police in Panchkula, India, have arrested an auto-rickshaw driver for stealing a passenger's bag containing INR200,000 ($2,682) in cash. The passenger, Ramnath Kohli, had hailed the auto to collect payment for a car sale. The driver, Neeraj Saxena, told Kohli the vehicle had developed a fault, before someone stole the bag containing the cash. Saxena was later arrested on suspicion of theft, and the cash was recovered.

Chandigarh sees wettest March in three years

Chandigarh, India has experienced its wettest March since 2020, with 71.7mm of rain recorded, according to the India Meteorological Department. The rainfall was 285% above the average for the month. IMD Chandigarh director Manmohan Singh said the wet weather was caused by strong Western Disturbances and wind carrying moisture from the Arabian Sea. He added that nights were abnormally warm, with the average minimum temperature of 15.4°C the highest in 13 years due to cloudy weather.

21 new Covid cases surface in Chandigarh

The Indian city of Chandigarh has seen 21 new cases of Covid-19, taking its total of active cases to 70. The cases are spread across a number of districts, with nine male and 12 female patients affected. The city has seen a recent surge in cases, but Dr Ashutosh N Aggarwal, head of the pulmonary medicine department at PGIMER, reassured residents that the situation was under control and that the disease was largely indistinguishable from other respiratory illnesses. He cautioned, however, that social distancing and hygiene measures should still be adhered to strictly.

Fresh rain adds to farmers woes in Haryana ahead of wheat harvesting

Unseasonal rain in Haryana, India, has left wheat and mustard farmers facing yield and lustre loss. The state had already suffered crop damage from a previous spell of rain, with around 5 lakh acres of wheat and 1.75 lakh acres of mustard crop affected. The recent rain, which included 8.1mm on 31 March, has caused waterlogging, which is harmful to wheat, and delayed harvesting operations. The Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research has advised farmers to heed Indian Meteorological Department forecasts and drain areas that are waterlogged.