Manual to Mechanised; Punjab leading the path with launch of advanced apparatus to end Manual Sewer Cleaning

Local Government Minister Flags Off State-of-the-Art Apparatus

Around Rs. 40 crore project will prove the game changer for sanitation workers

Dr. Ravjot Singh expressed deep grief on Plane Crash Tragedy

Chandigarh, June 13:In a landmark initiative to modernize urban sanitation, Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Friday flagged off a fleet of 730 advanced cleaning machines worth Rs. 39.56 crore for 150 Municipalities, marking a decisive shift from manual to mechanized sewer cleaning across the state.

The comprehensive mechanization program features specialized equipment designed to address every sanitation challenge while eliminating the need for human entry into sewer lines. The fleet includes Jetting-cum-Suction Machines that combine high-pressure water jets with powerful suction to clear stubborn blockages, along with Grab Bucket Machines that safely remove silt from manholes without endangering workers. For narrow lanes and congested urban areas, the administration has deployed compact Mouse Jetters and environmentally-friendly E-Rickshaw Mounted Desilting Machines that operate on battery power. The sanitation arsenal is further strengthened by durable Rodding Sets, Sewer Inspection Cameras for assessing hazardous locations, Pumping Sets to handle overflow emergencies and industrial-grade Super Suction Machines capable of thorough cleaning operations.

Dr. Singh said that this technological transformation goes hand-in-hand with the government's commitment to worker welfare. "While these machines represent our progress in urban infrastructure, our true achievement lies in safeguarding the dignity and lives of sanitation workers," he stated. The government has implemented a robust worker protection framework that includes mandatory provision of modern safety equipment, comprehensive health insurance coverage, regular medical check-ups and specialized training programs for machine operation with clear career progression pathways.

With 218 machines already operational in Sangrur Clusture and the remaining 512 being deployed across other municipalities worth Rs. 39.56 crore. The government will conduct quarterly performance reviews. This initiative positions Punjab as a leader in urban sanitation reform with plans to completely eradicate manual sanitation of sewer lines, while setting new benchmarks in worker safety and infrastructure management.

Earlier, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh expressed profound grief over the tragic plane crash that claimed several lives. Dr. Singh said, "I am deeply saddened by this devastating incident and share the pain of the bereaved families. Our hearts go out to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.”

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MAJOR BOOST FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES IN PUNJAB WITH INDUCTION OF 46 NEW HI-TECH AMBULANCES

— AMBULANCE SERVICE REACHING TO DISTRESS PEOPLE WITHIN 15 MINUTES, SAYS DR BALBIR SINGH

— SEVEN CHILD MEMORIAL AMBULANCES DEDICATED TO SAMANA IN MEMORY OF TRAGIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS: HEALTH MINISTER

— ALL NEW AMBULANCES EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND GPS FOR FASTER RESPONSE

Chandigarh, June 13: Reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government’s commitment to timely, accessible and quality health care in the state, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday flagged-off 46 hi-tech ambulances further enhancing the emergency medical services across the state. This expansion takes Punjab’s emergency ambulance fleet strength to 371, significantly boosting its lifesaving capabilities.

The newly inducted fleet also includes seven ‘Child Memorial Ambulances’ dedicated to Samana (Patiala) in memory of the children who tragically lost their lives in a road accident on May 7 this year. These ambulances, equipped with cutting-edge advanced medical equipments, will serve as a tribute while strengthening emergency response in the region.

Sharing details, Dr Balbir Singh said that all newly inducted ambulances are fitted with state-of-the-art medical equipment including oxygen and ambu-bag, life-saving drugs, and GPS-enabled tracking systems to ensure rapid response— 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas, which is among the best in the country and well within the international standards. “Our goal is to further reduce this to 10 minutes, ensuring critical care reaches patients within the golden hour,” he added.

Pertinently, the 108 Ambulance Service, Punjab’s most trusted emergency response network, has served over 30 lakh citizens since its inception in 2011, providing critical care during accidents, cardiac emergencies, maternal health crises, and trauma cases. “The 108 service is the backbone of our emergency healthcare system. With these new ambulances, we are ensuring that no call for help goes unanswered,” said Dr Balbir Singh.

The Health Minister emphasised that the first hour after an emergency is considered as the ‘golden hour’, where timely medical intervention can save lives. The 108 ambulances, working in close coordination with the Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), have played a pivotal role in reducing fatalities by providing immediate on-site medical aid, he said.

Dr Balbir Singh also commended the dedicated teams of paramedics, drivers, and emergency responders for their relentless service.

Meanwhile, the new ambulances will be deployed across various districts of Punjab to strengthen emergency services at the grassroots level. These include deployments in Barnala (1), Bathinda (1), Faridkot (1), Fatehgarh Sahib (3), Fazilka (1), Ferozepur (1), Gurdaspur (2), Hoshiarpur (1), Jalandhar (1), Kapurthala (2), Ludhiana (4), Mansa (2), Moga (2), Mohali (2), Muktsar Sahib (1), Malerkotla (2), SBS Nagar (2), Pathankot (2), Patiala (11), Rupnagar (1), Sangrur (2), and Tarn Taran (1).

The event was attended by Chairman Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) Raman Bahl, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Managing Director PHSC Amit Talwar, Director Health services Punjab Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director Family welfare Punjab Dr Jasminder Kaur, Director State Insurance Punjab Dr Jaspreet Kaur, Director National Health Mission Punjab Dr Balwinder Singh, Director Procurement PHSC Dr Pawanpreet Kaur, Dr Gurharminder Singh, Additional Director, Director of environment & climate change-cum- state nodal officer, Mission Tandrust Punjab and Project Head of 108 Ambulance Service Manish Batra.

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PUNJAB POLICE BUSTS CROSS-BORDER NARCO-SMUGGLING RACKET; 4.5 KG HEROIN, ₹11 LAKH DRUG MONEY RECOVERED

— PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL ARRESTED ACCUSED WAS IN CONTACT WITH PAKISTAN-BASED SMUGGLER, WHO WAS USING DRONE TO DELIVER CONSIGNMENT: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING TO UNCOVER FULL NETWORK

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, June 13:In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Border Range Amritsar has busted a cross-border narco-smuggling racket with the arrest of two smugglers and recovered 4.5 kg heroin and ₹11 lakh drug money from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

Those arrested have been identified as Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja, a native of village Dhanoe Khurd and presently residing in village Rattan; and Abhijeet Singh alias Happy, a native of village Mahal and presently residing in Bhalla Colony in Chheharta, Amritsar.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Gurbhej was in direct contact with Pak-based smuggler identified as Rana and had been coordinating the delivery of the consignment. Days before his arrest, the accused had arranged for this heroin consignment to be delivered via a drone, in collaboration with his associates, he said, while adding that accused Gurbhej had also involved Abhijeet Singh in this operation.

The DGP said that based on reliable intelligence, teams of ANTF Border Range Amritsar conducted an intelligence operation and apprehended both the accused, when they were attempting to further sell the heroin. Apart from recovering heroin and drug money from their possession, Police teams have also impounded their scooter Fascino S without number plate

He said that further investigations are underway to dismantle the entire supply chain. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

A case FIR No. 157, dated 11.06.2025 has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Police Station ANTF, SAS Nagar.

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DAY 104 OF ‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: 116 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 9.9KG HEROIN, ₹11.23L DRUG MONEY

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 56 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, June 13: With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 104 days, Punjab Police on Thursday arrested 116 drug smugglers and recovered 9.9 kg heroin, 1.5 kg opium and Rs 11.23 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 17,282 in just 104 days.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 90 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 469 locations across the state leading to the registration of 80 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 499 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 56 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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Zero tolerance against corruption : Vigilance Bureau nabs SDM’s Steno with bribery cash Rs 24 lakh

Chandigarh June 13, 2025 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in line with the zero tolerance policy adopted by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, has arrested Jatinder Singh, Steno, posted in the office of SDM Raikot in Ludhiana district for taking Rs 24,06,000 bribe.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint lodged by a resident of village Sukhana, tehsil Raikot, district Ludhiana.

He further added that the complained has alleged that SDM Raikot and his Steno Jatinder Singh, a resident of village Nurpura, in tehsil Jagraon,

were extorting huge money from the public in exchange for doing their official work.

“Acting on this information the VB team have questioned the accused Jatinder Singh Steno and the search conducted in his office led to the recovery of cash amounting to Rs 24 lakh 6 thousands from an almirah. The accused failed to reveal the details of this cash and the VB team has arrested him”, he added.

The spokesperson informed that in this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB Police Station Ludhiana range. Further investigation into this case was underway, he said.

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