Placements at Thapar have been no doubt good. Though I don’t know the exact scenario these days, there are plenty of companies coming every year especially automobile ones. In 2014,66 companies had come up for mechanical (including non-core) and most offered packages more than 4lac. Yes, please don’t expect this number to be 10lac or 15lac or above which I had assumed. This is also considered a good package in industry. If you want lucrative packages go for Computer Engg.
But placements are not guaranteed. Hard work and research of companies is a must for placement. It just like any other recruitment exam. Contrary, most of us tend to assume that a good college means automatic placement. In here competition level is very low as compared to a national/state level exam but it’s not easy. Sometimes topper of the class don’t make it and one of the back benchers gets the highest package. This has happened in my batch. It all depends on your efforts.
But I would suggest while selecting college you must give first preference to your interest and do the required research to find which department of which college could give you best scope. Your interest will make you put your 100% during your 4yr hard work.