Ludhiana

Ludhiana is a city and a municipal corporation in Ludhiana district in the Indian state of Punjab, and is the largest city north of Delhi. It is the largest city in the state, with an estimated population of 1,693,653 as of the 2011 Census. The population increases substantially during the harvesting season due to the migration of labourers from the eastern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Delhi. It has an area of about 3,767 square kilometres (1,454 sq mi). The city stands on the Sutlej River's old bank, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of its present course. It is a major industrial centre of northern India, and was referred to as India's Manchester by the BBC.

Ludhiana is located 98 kilometres (61 mi) west of the state capital Chandigarh on NH 95 and is centrally located on National Highway 1, which runs from the Indian capital New Delhi to Amritsar.

Geography

Ludhiana is located at 30°54′N 75°51′E / 30.9°N 75.85°E / 30.9; 75.85. It has an average elevation of 244 metres (798 ft). Ludhiana City, to its residents, consists of the Old City and the New City (or the residential and official quarters of the Colonial British encampment, traditionally known as Civil Lines; this is as opposed to the Army Lines, which are no longer extant as the British Cantonment was abandoned in 1845).

The land dips steeply to the north and the west where, before 1785, the river Sutlej ran.

The Old Fort was at the banks of the Sutlej (and now houses the College of Textile Engineering). Legend has it that an underground tunnel connects it to the Fort in Phillaur – although why this should be is debatable, as the Sutlej was the traditional dividing line between the principalities, often occupied by enemy forces (see History section).

The ground is of yellow sandstone and granite, forming small hillocks, plateaus and dips.

The tree of largest natural extraction was the kikar, or Acacia indica, but has been supplanted by the eucalyptus, transplanted from rural Australia in the late 1950s by the government of Chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon.

Gulmohars and jacarandas were planted by the British along the avenues of Civil Lines, as were other flowering trees, while the Old City contains almost no vegetation or parks, except for a few isolated pipal trees, holy to the Hindus, as it is supposed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

Commerce

The World Bank ranked Ludhiana as the city in India with the best business environment in 2009 and 2013.

The riches are brought mostly by small-scale industrial units, which produce industrial goods, machine parts, auto parts, household appliances, hosiery, apparel, and garments. Ludhiana is Asia's largest hub for bicycle manufacturing and produces more than 50% of India's bicycle consumption of more than 10 million each year. Ludhiana produces 60% of India's tractor parts and a large portion of auto and two-wheeler parts. Many parts used in German cars like BMW and Mercedes are exclusively produced in Ludhiana to satisfy the world requirement. It is one of the largest manufacturer of domestic sewing machines. Hand tools and industrial equipment is another speciality. The apparel industry of Ludhiana is famous all over India for its woollen sweaters and cotton T-shirts; most of the top Indian woollen apparel brands are based in Ludhiana. Ludhiana also has a growing IT sector with multiple software services and product companies having development centers in the city.

Ludhiana is also home to the Ludhiana Stock Exchange Association.

Transportation

Ludhiana is well connected by Road and rail as Ludhiana railway station is on main Delhi-Amritsar route and is an important railway junction with lines going to Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Dhuri and Delhi. The city is very well connected with daily or weekly trains to most places in India including the major cities of Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Pathankot, Kanpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. For administrative reasons the station is under Ferozepur Railway Division.The railway line between Ludhiana and Chandigarh opened in 2013. The government has even passed a dedicated freight track between Ludhiana and Kolkata.

Airport

Ludhiana is served by city based Sahnewal Airport, (IATA: LUH, ICAO: VILD) also known as Ludhiana Airport. It is the local airport serving the city of Ludhiana in Punjab. It is located near the town of Sahnewal, 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Ludhiana on the Grand Trunk Road.

The Airport is spread over more than 130 acres. The current airport arrival/departure halls can accommodate 40 passengers. The baggage delivery is done manually. Air India Regional ATR flight service is thrice a week. With the given infrastructure Air India has been ensuring great efforts for a sound service thrice a week to this manufacturing sourcing destination. From June 1, 2014 the lone to and fro Ludhiana-Delhi flight of Air India from Sahnewal domestic airport has been withdrawn.

Railway

Ludhiana Jn. is well connected to other metro cities. 12037/New Delhi - Ludhiana Shatabdi Express is one of important train that starts here.

Ludhiana Metro

This project has been scrapped by the government because lack of funds.

The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Delhi for construction of a Ludhiana Metro. This light transit system will serve about 25 years to Ludhiana. There will be two corridors in Ludhiana Metro. This two corridors of metro will give relief to many roads to some extent.

City Transportation

Ludhiana is connected with other cities of Punjab and also with other states by Bus service. Several major National Highways, NH1, NH95, NH11, NH20 pass through the city. The transportation services are provided by state owned Punjab Roadways and private bus operators.

City business service has been cancelled Moving around inside the city is done mostly by City-buses, auto-rickshaws, and Cycle rickshaw, while latest Ludhiana BRTS is under construction.

Auto Rickshaw

The Auto Rickshaw is a three-wheel drive vehicle, which is one way to travel in the city. These Auto Rickshaws have the capacity to hold three to six passengers. It can be hired individually or on a sharing basis. The Auto Rickshaws are easily available at every major place, including the Inter State Bus Terminal and The Railway Station at a nominal fare which varies from ₨ 10 to ₨ 30. Jugnoo, an on demand auto rikshaw application launched its operations on February 2015 to provide low cost, reliable, 24 x 7 service to the citizens of Ludhiana.

Rickshaw

Cycle rickshaw is widely used in Ludhiana.The Rickshaw or tricycle is pulled by a person and is a relatively cheap way of travelling in the city, but has become pricey after the autos were being scrapped.

Taxi

Radio taxis are also easily available. It is also the most used means of transport by the people of Ludhiana. Ola Cabs launched in the city on 7 October 2014.

Attractions

Markets and shopping malls

For shopping, Markets such as Chaura Bazaar, Ghumar Mandi, Jawahar Nagar Camp, Kipps Market and Mall Road are good places to buy from but parking may be an issue in such areas.

Malls such as Westend Mall (Wave Mall), MBD Mall, Silver Arc and Pavilion mall are good attractions as big malls .

The Grand Walk, Flames Mall, Ansal Plaza, SRS Mall and Govardhan City Center are also some good medium-sized malls.

Parks and recreation

Ludhiana is a mixture of Urban and Rural living.The city is surrounded by farming land on every side but inside the city there are many parks that still exist for relaxation, walking and picnics.

Parks Such as Leisure Valley, Rose garden Rakh bagh and PAU are very good places to walk and spend time.

Kabaddi

Guru Nanak Stadium is known for hosting the Kabaddi matches along with athletic games. Kabaddi world cup's finals have been played twice in Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana. The Stadium often hosts high-profile Kabbadi matches.

Skating/Cricket

A skating rink for speed skating and roller hockey is there in Ludhiana in Leisure Valley, Sarabha Nagar.Many skaters like Harshveer Singh Sekhon and Saurabh Sharma did made Ludhiana proud by winning many medals at several district state and national championships and representing India at various Asian Event. IN CRICKET November 16 2006 boy playing in under seventeen sahodaya tournament for his school was awarded price money of rupee twenty-five thousand according to newspaper The Tribune Ludhiana scored 217 runs and also capture 19 wickets in five matches for his Player of the tournament and price money was accumulated by loins club Ludhiana to inspire and encourage children all across city to participate in extra curricular and sports . Absolute infrastructure and Training was provided by khalsa college cricket Club civil lines under their rules and regulations to develop skills to Rajat Rampal player of that tournament is also among first child athlete from sharbha nagar who's name was able to appear on sports column in English newspaper and made his city proud .

Kila Rai Sports Festival

Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as Rural Olympics, is held annually in Kila Raipur (near Ludhiana), in Punjab, India. Competition is held for major Punjabi rural sports, include cart-race, rope pulling.

Places of Interest

• Alamgir
• Bhaini Sahib
• Chhapar
• Doraha
• Ghudani Kalan
• Hardy's World (Amusement park)
• Hathur
• Jagraon
• Katana Sahib
• Gurdwara Charankanwal Sahib Machhiwara
• Khanna
• Kila Raipur
• Machhiwara
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum
• Nanaksar
• Nehru Rose Garden
• Payal
• Serai Lashkari Khan
• Sidhwanbet
• Sudhar
• Sunet
• Tiger Safari
• Turban training centre