Chaos Erupts at Chitrakote Falls

Tourist Spot in Turmoil as Questions Surface Over Check Post, Gram Sabha, and SDM’s Role

An unexpected disturbance at the popular Chitrakote tourist site has raised serious concerns about local governance. Eyewitnesses report confusion and mismanagement at the check post, while the involvement of the Gram Sabha and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has come under scrutiny. Authorities are being urged to clarify roles and ensure better coordination to prevent future disruptions.

There was a ruckus on Monday at Chitrakote, the most famous tourist destination located in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Lohandiguda SDM Nitish Verma sealed the check post run by the committee, calling it illegal. Actually, a committee of the village people runs this check post. The committee has been collecting fees for a long time in the name of vehicle entry and parking from the tourists visiting Chitrakote tourist spot. The SDM sealed the check post, calling the said committee illegal, after which the angry check post committee, under the leadership of the village sarpanch Bhanwar Maurya, blocked the Chitrakote road at Mardoom Chowk and started protesting against the administration.

Sarpanch Bhanwar Maurya says that in the month of March itself, the responsibility of the check post was given to the new committee by holding a gram sabha, while the old committee indulged in rampant corruption. Without taking any action against the old committee, the work of the new committee was banned. Sarpanch Maurya accused the Lohandiguda SDM of taking this action because the committee did not make proper arrangements for the guests. For about 5 hours, the committee members continued to protest against the administration in the middle of the road in the scorching sun.