31082026-CT-01.qxd 8/31/2026 1:19 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune AUTO DRIVER’S SON MAKES IT TO INDIAN BOXING TEAM SHER-E-PUNJAB T20 LEAGUE BEGINS WITH FANFARE ASHA’S FINAL SONG AE MERI ZINDAGI IN OM KA HARI FILM Sector 42 academy trainee Amandev to take part in the under-19 Youth World Boxing Championship. P3 The league features six teams and will run until September 13 at the PCA stadium in Mohali. P3 Legendary playback singer’s final recorded film song to be released on her birthday — September 8. P4 » » CHANDIGARH 75 PANCHKULA 45 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 43 & 45 Mohali: Sectors 70, 78 & Phase 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF ROTARIES SOUGHT AT 4 JUNCTIONS Chandigarh:In a letter to the UT Administrator, the Consumers Association has demanded the construction of roundabouts at four junctions. Association secretary NK Jhingan said 460 lives had been lost on UT roads over the past five years. “There is an urgent need to build rotaries at four deadliest black spots — Hallo Majra light point, Kalagram junction, Housing Board Chowk and Dhanas traffic lights,” he said, adding that Chandigarh’s original design had demonstrated that roundabouts were an effective way to reduce fatal crashes. TNS POWER SHUTDOWN CHANDIGARH 10 am to 2.30 pm: Parts of Sector 11, Motor Market 11 am to 2 pm: Marble Market in Sarangpur, Burail village, Karsan Colony 2 pm to 5 pm: Sector 45-D Chd-Dharamsala flight to resume from Sept 1 Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune News Service Mohali, August 30 Air connectivity between Chandigarh and Dharamsala is set to improve with the resumption of an afternoon flight between the two destinations from September 1. The non-stop IndiGo flight (6E 7722) will depart from Gaggal Airport in Kangra at 1:10 pm and arrive at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport here at 2:15 pm. The return flight will depart from Mohali at 2:45 pm and reach Gaggal around 3:50 pm. The airfare for the Dharamsala-Chandigarh service will start at about Rs 3,200, while the fare for the ChandigarhDharamsala sector will start at Rs 3,617. The flight will operate four days a week — on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The service had been discontinued due to bad weather conditions in the hilly areas. With the resumption of the service, passengers from the Kangra region will have easier access to Chandigarh for onward journeys and connecting flights, officials said. PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 35.8°C | MIN 26.6°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.46 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5.59 AM » MONDAY | 31 AUGUST 2026 | CHANDIGARH AIR QUALITY INDEX FORECAST /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE 16,500 to vote in PU student elections today NSUI, AAP-backed ASAP, ABVP-SOI alliance and Sath candidates in the fray; 191 booths set up, counting to begin at noon Deepankar Sharda Chandigarh, August 30 Around 16,500 young voters are set to elect the new house of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) on Monday. This year, there will be a four-way contest for the post of president. Voting will also be held to elect the vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and department representatives (DRs). A total of 16 candidates are in the fray, including four for the top post. The presidential contest is between Gurman Singh Sidhu of the Congress’ student wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI); Aadil Brar of the AAP’s Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP); Ankit Bidhan of the BJP-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP); and Darshpreet Singh of Sath. According to the election schedule, voting will begin at 9.30 am and continue till 11 am. The results of the DR elections will be announced at noon, while counting of votes for the main posts will begin at the gymnasium hall of the university at the same time. The results are expected to be announced by evening. “All students of Panjab University campus have been advised to reach their respective departments before 9 am on August 31, to cast their votes in the PUCSC Elections. Gate No. 1 (PGI side) will remain closed on the polling day from 12 noon to 4.30 pm. In view of the continuing rainy weather, rush at entry gates and traffic congestion may cause delays. Students are advised to start early from their residence/hostel and reach the campus well in SCHEDULE SOI-ABVP join hands VOTING: 9.30 AM TO 11 AM COUNTING BEGINS Chandigarh, August 30 The traffic police have issued an advisory regarding diversions and restrictions on several roads in the city from August 31 in view of special arrangements. The advisory comes ahead of a seven-day peaceful sitin protest, or “pakka morcha”, planned by farmer organisations under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Chandigarh from September 1 to 7. The Chandigarh Administration and the police have granted permission for the protest. According to the advisory, vehicular movement on the road from the Faidan barrier to Purv Marg in Chandigarh will be diverted. Traffic from the T-point at the Sector 48 TOTAL BOOTHS 191 VICE-PRESIDENT ■ ARMAAN SINGH BHINDER AKANKSHA THAKUR ■ VIPUL BHADU ■ MANMEET KAUR ■ ARMAAN SINGH ■ Panjab University security personnel check vehicles at Gate No. 2 ahead of the students’ council elections scheduled for Monday. We are contesting this election to fight for the students’ rights. No examination fee, no fee hike and better facilities — these are our core agendas for the elections. We are the first to present a report card of our works done. Our main agenda is strengthening student unity, smart classrooms, better opportunities for research scholars, better parking facilities. Gurman Singh Sidhu, UIPS Ankit Bidhan, CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL INCLUSION With a promise of student welfare, we are counting on getting maximum support from the young voters. We will ensure better facilities at hostels, no hike in fee, better food quality and a studentoriented council, which is dedicated to solving each and every problem of the students. Aadil Brar, UILS time. The entry will be allowed strictly after showing valid identification cards,” read a university circular. Meanwhile, female voters account for the majority of the electorate, with 9,000 women set to vote for the new president. There are 7,467 male vot- There’s no space for political groups in student elections. Over the years, these groups have caused students to suffer. We are contesting the elections with the aim of ensuring student welfare, restricting interference by political groups and developing a student-oriented campus where students have a say. Darshpreet Singh, SCHOOL OF PUNJABI STUDIES ers and one transgender voter. The total number of voters has increased by 344 this year. The University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) has the largest number of registered voters. As many as 2,670 voters are registered at the institute. Around 1,950 voters are registered at the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) and 1,064 at the Department of Laws. A low-key affair The campus remained relatively quiet on Sunday, with light point, near the wine shop, towards the internal road of Sector 48 will also be restricted. Similarly, road stretches connecting Sectors 48/49 and 49/50 towards Chandigarh will remain restricted. Residents and commuters have been advised to follow real-time updates issued by the Chandigarh Traffic Police on its social media handles, including “X”, Instagram (@trafficchd) and Facebook (@ChandigarhTrafficPolice). The police stated that the diversions and restrictions had been put in place to ensure public safety. A joint meeting of senior officials of the Punjab and Chandigarh Police, and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) was held recently at the PSPCL rest house in Mohali. Tribune News Service DHAYAN SINGH ARYAN SAHARAN ■ MUSKAN ■ Victims Jitendra and Mukesh nephew. Both were natives of Uttar Pradesh and had been living in rented c m y b IND INSO HPSU JOINT SECRETARY ■ VISHAL BAMAL RAM CHANDER SINGH ■ AMEEN KAUR ■ DEVRAJ SINGH NAIN ■ IND USO AISA HSA VOTERS AT MAJOR DEPARTMENTS UIET: 2,670 | UILS: 1,950 | Department of Laws: 1,064 | UIAMS: 646 | Chemical Engineering: 643 | UBS: 526 | Chemistry: 407 | Dental Science: 490 | UIPSL: 457 political groups busy chalking out strategies. Amid a keen contest, the groups made a last-minute push for support and formed alliances. Meanwhile, the university authorities completed all preparations. Empty ballot boxes were allotted to polling booths and security arrangements were reviewed. The gymnasium hall at the Directorate of Sports has been placed under CCTV surveillance. The UT police have deployed personnel for the smooth conduct of the Ahead of the Punjab elections, the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have maintained silence on any alliance. However, the university election witnessed an unprecedented development, with the Students’ Organisation of India (SOI), the student wing of the SAD, joining hands with the BJPbacked ABVP . “The SOI has entered into an alliance with the ABVP for the upcoming PUCSC elections, with a mutual candidate, Ankit Bidhan, representing the alliance. This decision has been taken with a clear and larger objective — the welfare of students and the betterment of the student community, keeping the interests of the campus above political differences. The alliance also stands as a strong example of Sikh-Hindu unity on the campus, demonstrating that student politics can rise above religious and emotional sentiments when the larger interest of students is at stake. “The SOI believes that campus politics should be driven by issues, development, student welfare and constructive representation, rather than sentiments that divide the student community. This alliance is a message that despite ideological differences, organisations can come together when the future and welfare of students come first,” read a release. Sukhna floodgate opened for first time this monsoon An artiste performs Bharatanatyam during the Onam festival at Kerala Bhawan, Sector 65, Mohali, on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY accommodation in Pinjore. According to the police, Jitendra and Mukesh were returning to their home in Ratpur Colony from a petrol station when their motorcycle was hit by an unidentified vehicle near HMT. They were taken to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, in an ambulance, where doctors declared them dead. Jitendra ran a tailoring shop PUDF NSUI ISO SAKHI AISA SECRETARY ■ WHAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SAY Two bikers killed in hit-&-run accident Panchkula, August 30 Two youths riding a motorcycle were killed after an unidentified vehicle hit their bike near HMT, Pinjore, late last night. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after the accident. The deceased, identified as Jitendra (22) and Mukesh (32), were uncle and TOTAL STUDENTS: AROUND 12 NOON 16,500 CANDIDATES Traffic curbs in city as Onam fervour SKM stir starts on Sept 1 Tribune News Service elections. The area near the counting centre will be closed to regular traffic. Around 500 police personnel, including reserve forces, are expected to be deployed on the university campus. PARDEEP TEWARI Tribune News Service near a mill in Abdullapur Colony. On receiving information about the accident, personnel from the Pinjore police station reached the spot and began an investigation. Investigating officer Chiranji Lal said the police were examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the vehicle and its driver. A case has been registered against the unidentified driver. Chandigarh, August 30 Following heavy rain in the catchment area, one of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake was opened for the first time this monsoon after the water level rose to 1,162.95 ft, close to the danger mark of 1,163 ft, today. Radial Gate No. 1 was opened by three inches at 8.30 pm to release excess water from the lake, officials said. The Engineering Department has put in place preventive measures to deal with any rise in the lake’s water level during monsoon and prevent flooding. As a precautionary measure, the Deputy Commissioners of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula have been asked to remain vigilant and take necessary measures in downstream areas in view of the release of water. The department has also MandiesasTharhits3inDaria Chandigarh, August 30 A man was killed and two others were injured after a Thar hit three persons in Daria village late Saturday night. According to the police, the vehicle was allegedly being driven at high speed. The deceased has been identified as Pavan. The injured were admitted to the PGIMER. Pavan’s mother alleged that the incident stemmed from an old enmity and claimed that the vehicle had been deliberately driven into the three persons. The police said the exact circumstances of the incident were being ascertained. The police impounded the Thar. The statements of witnesses and CCTV footage were being examined to identify the driver. — TNS made arrangements for round-the-clock monitoring at the regulator end of the lake. The floodgates were opened a record nine times last year, six times in 2022, four times in 2023 and five times in 2021. The opening of two floodgates in August 2020 led to widespread flooding in low-lying areas along the Sukhna Choe in Zirakpur. On September 24, 2018, the floodgates were opened after a gap of 10 years. — TNS Human skeleton found in Industrial Area Chandigarh, August 30 A human skeleton was found in Industrial Area, Phase I, here today. The skeletal remains were spotted around 2 pm by Horticulture Department workers who were carrying out cleaning work in the area. The police reached the spot and cordoned off the area. A team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory collected evidence. — TNS