Tricity roundup: Mohali toys with a local bus service, UT cops bust ‘Zomato-type’ gang delivering drugs, and PGI makes a case for generics

UT Mayor calls for stopping fuel vehicles at Chandigarh border

In a push for promoting electric vehicles (EVs), Mayor Anup Gupta has vowed to take measures to prevent non-electric vehicles from neighboring states from entering Chandigarh at its borders. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of 18 prominent associations in Chandigarh, the mayor highlighted the need to control non-EV vehicles to achieve the city’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral. He emphasized the importance of following the example set by Delhi in curbing non-EV vehicles and expressed his determination, along with the support of all associations, to implement similar measures at Chandigarh’s borders.

GMADA clears up encroachments

In an effort to clear encroachments, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has undertaken an anti-encroachment drive. Illegal advertisement hoardings have been dismantled, vendors occupying roads and market corridors have been removed, and temporary structures that were set up without authorization have been demolished. This initiative by GMADA aims to reclaim public spaces and ensure better infrastructure and accessibility in the region.

CRIME

Eight juveniles held for killing Class X student

Eight juveniles were apprehended for the murder of a student in Class X. The victim, Saurav Bhardwaj, was fatally stabbed with sharp-edged weapons in the Vikar Nagar area near Mauli Jagran. This year alone, Chandigarh has seen the arrest of more than 189 juveniles involved in various crimes, including repeat offenders.

Chandigarh Police busts gang supplying heroin

In a significant operation, the Chandigarh Police arrested three individuals known as the “Zomato Heroin Delivery Boys.” The suspects, identified as Om Prakash, Satish Kumar, and Vikas, were residents of Ganganagar in Rajasthan. During the arrest, authorities recovered 53.3 grams of heroin from their possession. Investigations revealed that the accused had been operating for the past four years, supplying drugs in the tricity area. They maintained a network through messaging apps, where consumers would contact them for drug transactions.

Two UT cops held for smuggling liquor

The police department faced embarrassment when two constables from the UT Police were apprehended for liquor smuggling, along with four others, in Mahendergarh, Haryana. The constables, Anil Kumar and Ravinder, were subsequently dismissed from their positions. The swift action taken by the police department serves as a stern message that such misconduct will not be tolerated. The incident highlights the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the police force and upholding the law.

HEALTH

PGI director Prof. Vivek Lal bats for generics

Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGI, highlighted the effectiveness of generic drugs in treating lethal diseases like cancer and preventing transplant rejection during a recent press conference. He emphasized that numerous studies conducted at PGI and published in reputable international journals clearly demonstrate the efficacy of generic drugs. Notably, these drugs are equally effective as their brand-name counterparts but cost only one-fifth of the price.

Addressing misconceptions surrounding generic drugs, Prof. Lal emphasized the importance of procuring them from trusted chemists. He cited a specific study conducted by PGI in 2018, titled “Real-world experience with ‘generic’ pomalidomide in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma,” to support his claims. The study revealed that India only offers the generic version of pomalidomide, as the original drug is prohibitively expensive. The findings showed that the generic counterpart elicited a superior response compared to the innovator drug available in the USA.

New heart procedure at PGI revolutionises treatment

A groundbreaking medical procedure recently performed on a 75-year-old woman patient at PGI is changing the way heart conditions are treated in the northern region. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) provides a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery and was successfully conducted by Prof. Rajesh Vijayvergiya, a cardiologist at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).

TAVI involves replacing a diseased aortic valve by inserting a catheter through a small incision in the groin. This method is suitable for elderly patients who cannot undergo traditional open-heart surgery due to other health issues. LL

The aortic valve is responsible for supplying oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. When it becomes narrowed due to disease or age-related degeneration (known as aortic stenosis), an artificial valve is needed. Traditionally, this required open-heart surgery, but TAVI offers a less invasive option. During TAVI, an artificial valve is delivered to the heart through a catheter inserted in the groin artery. Once the valve is in placed, the catheter is removed, completing the procedure.TAVI has several advantages over open-heart surgery. Prof. Vijayvergiya explained, “Open-heart surgery involves a larger incision, general anesthesia, and the use of a heart-lung bypass machine. It takes longer and requires a few weeks of recovery. In contrast, TAVI is performed under local anesthesia and sedation, takes less than an hour and the patient is ready for discharge in the next 2-3 days.”

POLITICS

Chandigarh MC all set for a 25-lakh study tour, AAP boycotts it

Public funds of over Rs 25 lakh will be allocated for the Goa trip of councillors, aimed at “convincing them” about the necessity of a similar technology plant in Dadumajra, Chandigarh. The delegation will consist of 20 councillors, officers, and nine residents who are scheduled to depart for Goa on Tuesday. The visit will cover both North and South Goa; however, specific details about the hotels where they will be staying have not been disclosed. The first batch will comprise officers and councillors for a two-day trip, followed by a second batch consisting of officers and Dadumajra residents. Notably, Aam Aadmi Party councillors, who have been opposing the plant’s establishment, will not be participating in the tour.

Union minister Rajnath sounds poll bugle

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh sounded the poll bugle for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 at a mega rally in Chandigarh on Saturday. He said that he had come to Chandigarh only a few months back, but is well-acquainted with the history here. “Chandigarh is the tri-junction of Himachal Pradesh-Haryana and Punjab. The people of this region give the biggest contribution to the Indian Army.”