Punjab Police on Sunday tightened security and carried out intensive checking of vehicles in Mohali in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on August 24 to inaugurate the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Mohali’s Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).
“As part of security arrangements in view of the prime minister’s visit on August 24, we are carrying out a special drive under which all vehicles are being thoroughly checked...Besides, random checking at other public places is also being done in the district,” said Mohali Deputy Superintendent of Police HS Mann.
The police were deployed in strength to conduct checking of public transport vehicles and those entering the district from border. “The vehicles are being checked at state borders and strict vigil is being maintained to check anti-social elements,” he said.
SECURITY UP AT CHD BUS-STANDS
In Chandigarh too, the police has strengthened security arrangements and carried out intensive checking of public transport vehicles at inter-state bus terminuses in Sector 43 and Sector 17 on Sunday.
Besides, checking of vehicles at other checkpoints in the city was also being conducted, officials said, adding that security has been strengthened at crowded places including shopping malls in the city.
Chandigarh Police on Sunday intensified checking and beefed up security at city bus stands, including the ISBT, Sector 43, and Sector 17, following a terror alert sounded by security agencies in Punjab and the Union Territory.
Sources said that security has been beefed up following an input about a possible terror attack at bus stands across Punjab and Chandigarh. Police sources said that in wake of terror threat, a naka was also laid near the Sector 43 bus stand and suspicious vehicles were being checked by the police.
Specialised teams, including the Operations Cell, also carried out search operations at ISBT-Sector 43 and the Sector 17 bus stand.
Giving details, Chandigarh Police’s Operation Cell’s Assistant Sub-Inspector Hrideywant Singh said that the checking was being carried out from a security point of view.
“We are carrying security checks at crowded places like bus stands, railway stations, mall, etc, in view of the threat perception. We don’t want anyone carrying any explosive material or weapon entering these areas and causing harm to the public. We started checking at 8 in the morning and looking for suspicious persons or items. We are checking the luggage of people coming in buses from our stations,” he said.
MODI’s FIRST VISIT UNDER AAP GOVT IN PUNJAB
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Punjab on August 24 to inaugurate Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Discovery Center. This would be Modi’s first visit to Punjab after the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state.
During Modi’s earlier visit to Punjab, an alleged security lapse was reported during the Congress Government, led by Charanjit Singh Channi. The Prime Minister had to cancel all his programmes and return.
The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is a 300-bed facility, which is partially functioning at present. Punjab Chief Secretary VK Janjua had, past week, visited the site and reviewed the progress of the project. The OPDs of various departments such as surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, preventive oncology, anesthesia and palliative care have started functioning.
MANDAVIYA VISITS SANGRUR PGIMER SATELLITE CENTRE, REVIEWS PROGRESS
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday visited the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Satellite Centre in Sangrur and reviewed its progress.
Expressing satisfaction at the pace of the execution of the Project, Mandaviya said: “With the pace at which the work is being executed, including procurement of medical devices and equipment, the Satellite Centre will be fully functional by January 2023 and will provide a huge relief not only for the local population but for those far and wide.”
Updating about the success of the “free precaution vaccination drive” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15 for 75 days to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Union Health Minister shared that already over 13 crore people have leveraged this facility by getting vaccinated under this initiative in one month and three days till date.”
The Minister urged the people of Punjab and the country in general, especially the vulnerable population, to get vaccinated in the balance of 75 days and equip themselves to face the COVID crisis.
Lauding healthcare workers for their commendable role in containing the COVID crisis, the Minister said: “Our country has been appreciated across the globe for two things; for COVID management by adhering to the guidelines and vaccination drive by crossing the mark of over 200 crore doses.”
Endorsing the need for “affordable health for all”, the Minister shared about the initiatives by the Government to promote generic medicines which include over 8500 “Jan Aushadhi Kendras” across the country which are visited by over 20 lakh people daily in the country, awareness campaign by engaging with National Medical Council and launch of an app ‘Jan Aushadhi Sugam’ to make people aware about the salt in the medicine to enable them to make a considered choice between generic and branded medicine.
The Minister also shared that a Jan Aushadhi Kendra will also be opened in the Satellite Centre in Sangrur.
The Minister chaired a meeting which was attended by PGIMER director Prof Vivek Lal, senior faculty members and senior administrative officers. A detailed presentation was made before the Minister wherein the dignitary was apprised that the Satellite Centre, comprising a 300-bed hospital, was envisaged with an intent to reduce the overcrowding in PGIMER, Chandigarh and reduce the travel time of patients.