Chhattisgarh Govt Takes Strong Stance Against Road Obstructions For Private Celebrations

Raipur: Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain has issued stringent directives aimed at preventing individuals from obstructing public roads for private events, such as birthday parties, community feasts, and unauthorized pandals. Emphasizing that public roads are designated solely for transportation, Jain warned that any disruptions will lead to severe legal consequences.

In a high-level meeting conducted to review traffic and safety of people on roads, the CS instructed officials to enforce strict legal measures, impose heavy penalties on violators, and initiate a comprehensive public awareness campaign to address these disruptions.

He stated that unauthorized occupation of public roads will result in immediate action under the Anti-Encroachment Act, Motor Vehicles Act, Municipal Act, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

Authorities have been directed to seize vehicles involved in such gatherings, impose substantial fines on organizers, and initiate judicial proceedings against offenders.

To ensure effective enforcement, Jain ordered the police department to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for immediate intervention and strict monitoring. Law enforcement agencies are now expected to proactively dismantle unauthorized gatherings before they disrupt public movement.

In an effort to foster public cooperation, Jain instructed the Public Relations Department to launch a statewide multimedia awareness campaign through television, radio, newspapers, and social media. This campaign will educate citizens about the legal consequences of obstructing roads, promote responsible public behavior, and discourage unauthorized events.

Jain further warned that if such incidents continue, the administrative and police officials responsible will be held accountable.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining public order and ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow, he urged all departments to collaborate closely to prevent the misuse of public roads.

These decisive measures reflect the Chhattisgarh government's determination to eliminate unauthorized road encroachments and ensure seamless mobility across the state.

In the meeting, along with the CS senior officials present are Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Pingua, Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Inspectors General of Police from Raipur and Bilaspur, as well as Collectors and Superintendents of Police from the respective districts, along with senior officials from the Transport, Urban Administration, Law, and Public Relations Departments.